November 2013- March 2014
Media Placements The Abbi Agency
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
3/30/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
3/28/2014
Reno Gazette Journal
3/26/2014
Jaunted
3/21/2014
The Manual
3/19/2014
Jaunted
3/18/2014
RGJ - Online
3/18/2014
Hotel Chatter
3/13/2014
On The Snow
3/13/2014
On The Snow
3/13/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
3/11/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
3/11/2014
Visit California
3/11/2014
Los Angeles Times
3/9/2114
The Examiner - Online
3/8/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
3/7/2014
KTVN - Online
3/6/2014
Curbed Ski
3/5/2014 3/5/2014 3/4/2014
Tahoe TV Lake Tahoe News Outside Magazine
3/3/2014
Sierra Sun
3/3/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
3/3/2014
RGJ - Online
Title Business Announcements for North Lake Tahoe and Truckee Tourism These Tahoe Ski Resorts Offer Ridiculous Lake Views From the Slopes Travel What's the Difference Between the North and South Side of Lake Tahoe? Skiing: U.S. Alpine Championships at Squaw Vall this week What's the Difference Between the North and South Side of Lake Tahoe? Season Pass Deals up for grabs in the West Squaw/Alpine Passholders Get Bonus Days Junior Freeride athletes show off at Sugar Bowl Hale, Coxon, Rahlves, Lucas notch Banzai Tour victories Beyond the Downhill: Mountain Adventure Off The Slopes Check out the world's best outdoor travel spots Sugar Bowl, Alpine Meadonws, and Squaw Valley announce partnership Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl strike partnership for 2014-15 Things 2 Do This Weekend Hangover Helper: The Best Ski Town Bloody Mary's Lake Tahoe Ranked 'Best Lake' Snippets about Lake Tahoe 2014 Travel Awards: Best Lake North Lake tahoe Bridal Faire to capcity, August event planned Snow alows more Tahoe-area ski resorts to fully open Photo Gallery: Mardi Squaw Snowfest party
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
3/1/2014
The Daily Journal
2/28/2014
KTVN - Online
2/28/2014
10 Best - USA Today Travel
Perfect Destinations for a March Getaway
2/27/2014
RGJ - Online
2/27/2014
RGJ - Online
2/27/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
Plenty of fun for families at SnowFest Taking the plunge: Annual Polar Bear Swim at Tahoe Saturday Nominations sought for North Lake Tahoe Community Awards Dinner
2/27/2014
RGJ - Online
2/27/2014
RGJ - Online
2/26/204
RGJ - Online
2/25/2014
Sierra Sun
2/25/2014
Shreveporttimes.com
2/25/2014
The News Star - Online
2/25/2014
Hattiesburg American - Online
2/25/2014
DNJ.com
2/25/2014
Great Falls Tribune - Online
2/25/2014
baxterbulletin.com
2/25/2014
Rocket News - Online
2/25/2014
Cincinnati.com
2/25/2014
Coloradoan.com
2/25/2014
The Town Talk - Online
2/25/2014
The Leaf Chronicle - Online
Title Fresh Snow Replenishes Sierra Ski Resorts A Good Weekend for Winter Sports
Sierra ski resorts report up to 16 inches of snow; a smiliar storm hits Friday Plenty of fun for families at SnowFest Some of the best events to help plan your week North Lake Tahoe and Truckee business briefs Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
2/25/2014
The Times Herald - Online
2/25/2014
Livingston Daily - Online
2/25/2014
jasonsun.com
2/25/2014
Observer & Eccentric
2/25/2014
jconline.com
2/25/2014
Visalia Times-Delta
2/25/2014
newslead.com
2/25/2014
Courier -Post
2/25/2014
Delmarvanow.com
2/25/2014
TheSpectrum.com
2/25/2014
pal-item.com
2/25/2014
TheCalifornian.com
2/25/2014
ClarionLedger.com
2/25/2014
The Daily Journal
2/25/2014
PNJ.com
2/23/2014
The Sacramento Bee
2/18/2014
Tahoe Ski Wold
2/18/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
2/18/2014
Going Places Near and Far - Blog
2/17/2014
Tahoe Ski World
Title Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Escapes: Lake Tahoe, Grass Valley and more Many Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts Opening New Terrain for President's Day Weekend North Lake Tahoe and Truckee community announcements Squaw Valley Hosts the Lake Tahoe Wedding Faire on Satuday, February 1 Sugar Bowl Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe Opens New Crow's peal Lift Today
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
2/12/2014
The Sacramento Bee
2/13/2014
San Antonio Express News
2/13/2014
SF Chronicle - SF Gate
2/13/2014
NBC Bay Are
2/11/2014
YubeNet.com
2/11/2014
SF Chronicle - SF Gate
The hills are alive: Snow falling on Sierra
2/10/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
Storm hammers Lake Tahoe with several feet of wet snow
2/10/2014
SKIFT
2/10/2014
Powder Magazine
2/9/2014
The Examiner - Online
2/7/2014
California Dream Big
2/6/2014
Santa Cruz Sentinel
2/6/2014
Sacramento Magazine
2/4/2014
San Jose Mercury News
2/4/2014
Inside Bay Area
2/4/2014
Contra Costa Times
2/4/2014
Lebanon Daily News
2/4/2014
The Morning Journal
2/4/2014
Times Standard - Travel
2/4/2014
New Haven Register Lifestyle
Title Best in snow: Which area resorts benefited the most from recent storms? SnowFest brings '80's to North Lake Tahoe SnowFest brings '80's to North Lake Tahoe How to Apres Ski: The North Lake Tahoe Guide Almost 300 trails open at North Lake Tahoe Resorts
North Tahoe's Latest Ski Campaign Will Either Insult or Amuse Silicon Valley It Snowed in Tahoe -- Finally Lake Tahoe Snow Report for Feb. 9: 4 feet of snow in lake Tahoe from storm Explore California Snow Country 2/7/2014 Essential apres ski and snowboard etiquette tips for out-of-towners Think Snow: What's New at Sierra Ski Resorts Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
2/4/2014
The Register Citizen Lifestyle
2/4/2014
The News-Hearld Lifestyle
2/4/2014
Going Places Near and Far - Blog
2/1/2014 2/1/2014 2/1/2014
Smart Meetings Magazine VIA Magazing Sunset Magazine
1/30/2014
The Press Democrat
1/30/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
1/30/2014 1/30/2014
Parade Magaine Capital Public Radio
1/29/2014
USA Today - Online
1/29/2014
On The Snow
1/28/2014 1/28/2014 1/27/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune 7X7SF Family Circle
1/25/2014
Examiner - Online
1/23/2014
10 Best - USA Today Travel
1/22/2014
Nevada Appeal
1/18/2014
Lake Tahoe News
1/10/2014 1/10/2014
The Travel Channel The New York Times
1/10/2014
Pblcty
1/8/2014
The Examiner - Online
Title Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank Love Abounds in North Lake Tahoe, California with Lodging, Dining, Spa Specials, Events Around the Lake for Valentine's Day Reno & Tahoe Extraordinary Winter Sports Best Places to Live in the West Up to 2 feet of snow expeced to tal atop Sierra North Lake Tahoe and Truckee community announcements 5 Places to Catch Olypmic Fever Snow Conditions at Tahoe Ski Resorts Catch Olympics fever with these themed hotel packages Where's the Snow this Weekend: West Coast Report On the Hill: Storm moving in Alpenglow Mountain Festival in Tahoe Winter Olympics-Inspired Travel Northstar hosts unique international snow sculpture carvings event Cedar House Sport Hotel of Lake Tahoe: Sport - and Pet-Friendly Here's where we ski/ride closes to Carson City 2-week mountain festival on North Shore Things to Do in Lake Tahoe 52 Places to go in 2014 No Fun in the Sun Winter Vacations for These Celebs‌ They'd Rather Hit the Slopes! Learning to Ski and Snowboard Month being offered by most Lake Tahoe ski resorts
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
1/8/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
1/8/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
1/8/2014
Tahoe Daily Tribune
1/6/2014
Examiner - Online
1/5/2014
Examiner - Online
1/4/2014
Examiner - Online
1/3/2014
About.com
1/2/2014
Vogue
1/1/2014
San Jose Mercury News
1/1/2014 1/1/2014
Diablo Magazine Sacramento Magazine
1/1/2014
Spirit Magazine
12/23/2013
SF Chronicle - SF Gate
12/22/2013
The Buffalo News
12/21/2013
Trekaroo
12/20/2013
Mountain Democrat
Mother Nature must deliver more snow
12/19/2013
Tahoe Daily Tribune
North Lake Tahoe community announcements
12/19/2013
Ask Men
Free Ski Boot Camps by Noth Lake Tahoe
12/18/2013
Lake Tahoe News
12/18/2013
Tahoe Daily Tribune
12/17/2013
The New York Times
12/14/2013
FalandodeViagem.com
Snippets about Lake Tahoe More than 50 businesses participate in Hospitality Holidays What's new at Ski Areas? Falando De Viagem viaja para North Lake Tahoe
Title Lake Tahoe Wedding Faire to showcase venues, vendors Olympic Heritage Celebration returns Lake Tahoe Wedding Faire to showcase venues, vendors Howelsen Hill Ski Area in Steamboat Springs first-ever U.S. ski resort Lake Tahoe's Granlibakken an affordable winter playground for families Snow making saving the season right now for Lake Tahoe ski resorts Leark to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) - West and midewest North America's Best Lakeside Retreats: From Great Lakes to Golden Ponds Travel deals: Healdsburg, San Diego, North Lake Tahoe North Lake Fun Let It Snow Looking Ahead Mark your calendar for these fun-filled events held across the country in January and February Tahoe skiing: Better than expected for holidays Ski areas get a lift ( or at least make theirs faster)
Polar Plunges Across the United States
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
12/13/2013
The Examiner - Online
12/12/2013
Fly Reno-Tahoe
12/11/2013
Daily Herald
12/11/2013
Renewable Energy World
12/10/2013
Courier-Post
12/10/2013
USA Today Travel
12/10/2013
The Daily Journal
12/10/2013
Delmarvanow.com
12/8/2013
Rosevill & Granit Bay Press Tribune
12/8/2013 12/7/2013
Toronto Telegraph KRON4
12/7/2013
FOX40
12/6/2013
V101
12/6/2013
This Is Reno
12/6/2013
KFBK News Radio
12/5/2013
KSTE
12/5/2013
On The Snow
12/5/2013
V101
12/5/2013
Fit Bottomed Girls
12/5/2013
KFBK News Radio
12/5/2013
Adventures by Daddy
12/5/2013
Cruise Addicts
16 Easy Ski vacation Ideas from U.S. Cities
12/4/2013
Aol Travel
16 Easy Ski vacation Ideas from U.S. Cities
Title Opening day for Alpine Meadows ski resort; lift tickets $59 on opening day Adventure, Entertainment, Culture Reno Tahoe USA Reaches "Tipping Point" with Over 50 "Top 10" Awards Reno Tahoe USA Reaches "Tipping Point" with Over 50 "Top 10" Awards 10 Resorts for Extreme Skiers and Snowboarders 10 Best: Ski Resorts with Spas 10 Resorts for Extreme Skiers and Snowboarders 10 Resorts for Extreme Skiers and Snowboarders Historic Granlibakken Provides Unique Winter Experience North Lake Tahoe Tahoe Snow Ski and Boarding Latest Skiing: North Lake Tahoe Resorts Now Open Five Ski Resorts Set to Open in North Lake Tahoe North Tahoe Resorts Open New Ski Terrain Five Ski Resorts Set to Open in North Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe is Contender for Best Ski Destination West Coast Ski Resort Deals & News Lake Tahoe is Contender for Best Ski Destination Fit Bottomed Tour: North Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe is Contender for Best Ski Destination Winter Family Travel Ideas for Holiday Lights and Longer Nights
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
12/4/2013
Tahoe Daily Tribune
12/3/2013
This Is Reno
12/1/2013
Summerlin South Life
12/1/2013
GoErie.com
12/1/2013
The Buffalo News
11/30/2013
Summity Daily
11/29/2013
The Washington Post
11/29/2013
Rosevill & Granite Bay Press Tribune
11/28/2013
ETB News
Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts Open with Frwsh Snow in Advance of Thanksgiving Holiday
11/28/2013
Inside Bay Area News
Sentinel's guide to ski and snowboarding in Northern California for the 2013-14 season
11/28/2013
Willits News
11/26/2013
Morning Sun Travel - Online
11/29/2013
Auburn Journal
11/28/2013
The Aspen Times
11/29/2013
Colfax Record
11/29/2013
Press Tribune
11/29/2013
Talking the Kids
11/28/2013
Inside Bay Area News
Sentinel's guide to ski and snowboarding in Northern California for the 2013-14
11/27/2013
abc 7 San Francisco
Ski season ramps up as two more Tahoe resort open
Title Diamond Peak Set to Open with 3 Lifts on Dec. 12 North Tahoe's Hospitality Holidays Bring Together Local Businesses, Live Music and Local Food Winter Getaways Await This Holiday Season and Beyond Travel Briefs Ski Resorts Open Online sources to help you plan a winter getaway Ski-town news roundup: Snow to return to Colorado Hopscotching among Lake Tahoe's plentiful ski resorts Placer County ski resorts ready for Thanksigiving weekend
Snow in the Sierra for start of ski season -but plenty of it is machine-made Stay at these 7 Ski Hubs Placer County skin resorts ready for Thanksgiving Weekend He was born a traveling man Placer County skin resorts ready for Thanksgiving Weekend Placer County skin resorts ready for Thanksgiving Weekend Fun in the Snow - Your guide to family vacations on the ski ski slopes and beyond
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
11/25/2013
Freeskier
11/25/2013
msn travel
11/25/2013
Tahoe Daily Tribune
11/22/2013
10 Best USA Today Travel
11/22/2013
KCRA.com
11/22/2013
On the snow
11/22/2013
Reno Gazette Journal - Online
11/20/2013
Connect Magazine
11/19/2013
Carlsbad Current-Argus
11/19/2014
Fort Bragg Advocate-News
11/19/2013
ChicoER
11/19/2013
Daily Times
11/19/2013
Fort Morgan Times
11/19/2013
Inside Bay Area
11/19/2013
Journal-Advocate
11/19/2013
Lake County Record Bee
11/19/2013
Lebanon Daily News
11/19/2013
lowellsun.com
11/19/2013
The News-Herald
11/19/2013
Marin Journal
11/19/2013
The Medocino Beacon
11/19/2013
The Herald
Title Top 10 Ski Resorts in North America: The best of the 2014 Freeskier Resort Guide 2 major Lake Tahoe ski resorts open Tahoe Truckee tree lighting festivities abound Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe Sierra ski resorts hope for Thanksgiving snow West Coast Ski Resort Deals & News Thanksgiving Week Northstar California to open Saturday; Mount Rose ski area will open Wednesday Industry Moves Ski Guide: See what's new at California Sierra resort's this season Ski Guide: See what's new at California Sierra resort this season Ski Guide: See what's new at California Sierra resort's this season
Ski Guide: See what's new at California Sierra resorts this season Ski Guide: See what's new at California Sierra resorts this season There's good news on two fronts‌ Ski Guide: See what's new at California Sierra resorts this season Ski Guide: See what's new at California Sierra resorts this season Ski Guide: See what's new at California Sierra resorts this season Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season There's good news on two fronts‌
North Lake Tahoe Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
11/19/2013
The Morning Journal
11/19/2013
North Adams Transcript
11/19/203
ParadisePost.com
11/19/2013
Times-Herald
11/19/2013
Times-Standard
11/19/2013
The Ukiah Daily Journal
11/19/2013
Willits News
11/19/2013
Daily Democrat
11/18/2013
Lake Tahoe News
11/18/2013
Marin Mommies
Title Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Finding Winter Travel Deals Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season Learn about Tahoe's snowboard history Lake Tahoe Ski, Snowboard, and Snow Play Family Fun
March 30, 2014
Business announcements for North Lake Tahoe and Truckee TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif.— Content for briefs is selected from e-mail submissions to Community Editor Amy Edgett at aedgett@sierrasun.com. CATT invites you to a membership orientation The Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe (CATT) announced a Membership Orientation for prospective members, new members, and existing CATT members on Wednesday, April 2, 4 p.m. at the Hotel Truckee Tahoe, 11331 Brockway Road, Truckee. Light snacks will be served. The Membership Orientation is open to all building contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers, and design professionals who work in the Truckee Tahoe area. The Orientation is geared to individuals and companies who want to maximize promotional efforts while being kept up to date on local building codes, fees, remodel trends, and more. Learn about CATT benefits and services and how to get the most out of a CATT membership. Current CATT members encouraged to attend. This is an opportunity to meet CAT Board Members and Committee Chairs, and find out how the membership dollars are spent. For more information contact Kim Cross at 530-550-9999 or memberinfo@ca-tt.com. Visit CATT online at www.ca-tt.com. Demystifying Solar Energy The solar energy workshop will be held Thursday, April 3, 6 p.m. at the Tahoe Donner Club House with Mark Dickson, a NABCEP certified PV solar designer and installer and Simple Power, a division of Kelly Brothers Painting, Inc. Topics to be covered will include what PV Solar is and how it works in simple terms; if PV Solar is the right solution for you; steps to take in your home or business to increase efficiency before installing a system; and current tax incentives and rebates available to residents and business owners who install PV Solar systems.
For more information call 530-550-0806, visit www.Kellybrotherspainting.com or email info@Kellybrotherspainting.com. AT&T rolls out 4G AT&T has expanded its 4G LTE network in Reno, bringing more customers the latest generation of wireless network technology. AT&T launched 4G LTE in Reno on Dec. 13, 2012 and the expanded coverage is part of its ongoing rollout across the market. AT&T 4G LTE coverage now includes parts of Truckee and Grass Valley. Open Counter web tool The Town of Truckee has launched OpenCounter:Truckee. A web-based tool, OpenCounter helps start-up businesses interested in Truckee estimate the time, costs and processes necessary to set up shop. Each year more than half a million new businesses are formed nationally. These employers are a key element to creating strong communities. Truckee’s investment in OpenCounter is part of its overall strategy to encourage small business and local economic development. In January 2014, the Town Council approved two new economic development incentive programs: Economic Development Support Program and the Economic Development Fund Program. For more information visit www.townoftruckee.com or call 530-582-2914. Nonprofit infographic workshop If a picture is worth a thousand words, than an eye-catching and informative dashboard, map or infographic speaks volumes. Nonprofits can create data visualization tools that effectively communicate their message to board members, executive directors, funders, staffers or volunteers. The Center for Nonprofit Leadership of Nevada County is holding a “Dashboards, Maps and Infographics: Tools to Measure & Communicate” workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 11, 236 South Church St. in Grass Valley. Many nonprofit officials “think it’s too complicated, too costly,” said Steve Monaghan, workshop presenter and Chief Information Officer for Nevada County. “But there are some simple things you can do.” Monaghan will answer questions and hold breakout sessions during the workshop. Registration deadline is April 8. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. April 11. The cost is $45 for one or two CNL members registered from the same organization; $60 for non-members.
Additional participants are $25 for the same member organization, and $35 for non-member organizations. The fee includes a continental breakfast. Visit www.CNLSierra.org, www.facebook.com/NevadaCountyNonProfitLeadership and Twitter @NevCoNonprofits. Business sponsorships available for Little League North Tahoe Little League fields baseball teams from the West Shore to Incline Village. Consider becoming a business partner by sponsoring a team and/or displaying your company logo on a field banner. Home Run level sponsor ($450) has only your company name on uniforms, banner at chosen field, and team photo plaque. Triple level sponsor ($350) has shared company names on uniforms, banner at chosen field, and team photo plaque. Double level sponsor ($250) produces a large company logo banner displayed at the field if your choice. Single level sponsor ($150) displays your existing company logo banner at the field of your choice. In California contact Mark Sura, clubbigblue@hotmail.com, in Nevada contact Robyn Hugar, robynhugar@cloud.com. Support 2014 Earth Day Festival Consider becoming an Earth Day supporter by making a tax-deductible donation at a designated sponsorship level. Tahoe Truckee Earth Day is also open to event sponsors funding certain aspects of the event i.e. film festival, artwork, etc. Contact Steve at SAddison@squawvnc.com. The Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival is a volunteer run, nonprofit event to recognize, celebrate and promote the region’s unique beauty. Drop by the Village at Squaw Valley on April 19, 2014 for fun, live music and entertainment, and to learn how to preserve and protect our local and global natural resources. Tax help for Eastern County Nevada County Treasurer & Tax Collector Tina M. Vernon will set up office in the Truckee area to serve Eastern County residents during peak property tax season. This is the first time a seasonal office for the Treasurer & Tax Collector has been available on the Eastern side of the county. Second installments are due no later than April 10, 2014. The seasonal office will be located at the Truckee Sheriff Substation in District V Supervisor Anderson’s office at 10879 Donner Pass Road, Ste. A. Vernon will be available April 7-9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and is encouraging residents to come by and pay their property taxes, ask questions, or to just say “hello.” Payments can also be made by mail, postmarked no later than April 10, 2014 and sent to P.O. Box 128, Nevada City, CA 95959-0128 or made in person at the Nevada County Tax Collector’s Office, 950 Maidu Ave. in Nevada City. The office also offers payment by credit card or by virtual check at www.mynevadacounty.com/nc/ttc. Call for special event grant funding applications
The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association announced $9,000 of grant funding available for special events taking place in the North Lake Tahoe region of Eastern Placer County. Most individual grants will fall within the $500 to $2,500 range. All grant money is slated for marketing and public relations efforts to promote regional events. Preference will be given to events which encourage overnight stays. All groups interested in receiving funds must fill out the special event grant application by April 16, 2014. After initial review, select applicants will be asked to give the Grant Funding Task Force a five-minute presentation on April 25, 2014. The presentation to the Board of Directors for approval will take place May 7, 2014 and funding notification to applicants will occur May 8, 2014. For a copy of the application and more information contact Judy Laverty, the special events program manager for the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, at 530-581-8702 or at Judy@GoTahoeNorth.com.
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These Tahoe Ski Resorts Offer Ridiculous Lake Views From the Slopes Where: Tahoe, California, United States March 26, 2014 at 12:40 PM | by wakeandwander | Comments (0)
If you've never been, it'd be easy to take Lake Tahoe for granted as a skier, especially the past two years where the winter has been mild and significant snow dumps have eluded the region. We understand why that would make one hesitant in terms of booking a trip, but as we learned earlier this month, a lack of snow can't cover up the sheer beauty of North America's largest alpine lake. There are over a dozen ski areas in Tahoe, and many of them offer views of the lake. Squaw Valley and Kirkwood get a lot of attention, yet some of the best vantage points are found from the hills that hover closer to the shoreline. We recommend visiting several mountains next year to check out the different terrain, but be sure to hit at least one of these to experience the full effect of the lake:
Heavenly
Heavenly
Split between California and Nevada, is the flagship lakeside resort in Tahoe, owned by Vail and located on the south end in South Lake Tahoe. Those staying in South Lake have the convenience of taking the gondola right from town. "Ridge Run" is where we captured the photo above, but wherever you are on the hill, it's hard to hide from the view.
Northstar Northstar isn't exactly lakeside, but it still gives skiers a pretty view through the trees as they come down the mountain.
Homewood Homewood might not be as well known as Heavenly, but it's actually closer to the lake than any other resort in Tahoe. Its parking lot is located across the street from the shore, so expect big views from just about everywhere on this hill.
Diamond Peak Diamond Peak is located entirely in Nevada and thus has the best views of Lake Tahoe the state has to offer. Cruise down groomers and do your best to keep your head up. Not only will it improve your skiing, but it will feel like you're riding right down into the lake. [Photos: Will McGough/Panoramio/Homewood Mountain Resort/Tom Zikas]
ICRO GUID
Travel
Written by Shandana A. Durrani – Posted on March 21, 2014 Destinations usually fall into one of two categories: places you head to for some winter fun or for some sun, sand and surf. But what might be construed as just a winter wonderland destination can actually offer bountiful activities come summer (or vice versa). One such location is Lake Tahoe. The California/Nevada resort town offers four seasons of excitement: from skiing, curling and snow shoeing in the winter to paddle boarding, hiking and biking in the spring, fall and summer. Eat: Tahoe has long been a popular destination for Californians looking to escape the hustle and bustle of San Francisco and Los Angeles. And those same city dwellers expect good food to follow them. Tahoe doesn’t disappoint. For lunch, head to The Terrace Restaurant and Bar in High Camp. The view over Squaw Valley can take your breath away. The Boathouse is a Tahoe institution, serving fresh fish and meat in a tranquil setting overlooking the lake. Jimmy’s at The Landing Resort & Spa, a new 88-room boutique hotel on the water’s edge in South Lake Tahoe, serves inspired Greek cuisine. Ask for the lamb belly entree with braised carrots. It’s not on the menu but is a must for any gourmand. The iconic Jake’s on the Lake is a place to see and be seen by locals and Tahoe regulars. Dine on standard American fare such as burgers, steaks and fish. For your last night, head to North Lake Tahoe and Manzanita at the Ritz Carlton. The wine list is extensive and well thought out. Try the black cod with fennel and almonds. It melts in your mouth with every bite. For drinks, locals prefer the Chocolate Bar in the Village at Northstar for its innovative cocktails and outdoor fire pit. Uncorked, a group of wine bars around Tahoe, offer flights and single glasses sure to impress your date. Play: Tahoe is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. With so many activities at your disposal, it’s hard to narrow down your choices if you only have a long weekend in town. In addition to ski resorts such as Heavenly, Squaw Valley and Northstar, a winter trek can involve curling, snow shoeing and dog sledding. Lake Tahoe Epic Curling sponsors lessons and leagues at the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena. For just $20, you can learn basic curling techniques for two hours. Brendan Madigan ofAlpenglow
Sports takes guests snow shoeing and cross country skiing across beautiful Page Meadows. It’s a time to reflect as you get your heart racing. During shoulder season and summer, visitors can paddle board on the lake. Companies such asSouth Tahoe Stand Up Paddle are leading the way for beginners and experts alike. Hikers can head up the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 172-mile loop around the entire lake that is great for all abilities. Flum Trail on the east side of Lake Tahoe goes up to Marlette Lake and is a great fall hike, whether on foot or bike. Beginners love the Rubicon Trail for it’s six-mile flat hike from Emerald Bay to Sugar Pine State Park as well as its numerous swimming holes. Bay View Trail Head is a challenging hike that climbs 2,000 feet. Visitors often camp near its high elevation lakes. Then there’s Granlibakken Treetop Adventure Course. Think Battle of the Network Stars. The adrenaline-pumping, challenging obstacle course takes you high above the ground, jumping over logs, swinging from ropes, passing through rings and zipping down lines. Each obstacle will make your body ache in places it never has. After all that activity, a massage is in order. The Spa at the Resort at Squaw Creek will kneed the aches and pains out of your body. Stay: Unlike more snooty resort towns, Tahoe offers accommodations for every budget, from motels and backpacker lodgings to five-star resorts. If budget is no issue, try the Ritz Carlton near Northstar. The 153 rooms and suites embrace a hearty alpine decor with a modern twist. Think dark wood and clean, white linens. A gas fireplace warms up the room as your feet sink into a plush carpet. Bathtubs and showers are expansive as are the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. If your room is not ready when you check in—as was the case with mine—the front desk will upgrade you to a deluxe room—if available—with a spectacular view of alpine meadows. As you gaze down the mountain, you breathe in a sigh and thank the gods for another spectacular day.
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What's the Difference Between the North and South Sides of Tahoe? March 19, 2014 at 8:42 AM
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If you're driving south along the western side of the lake, Emerald Bay, shown in the photo above, is the gateway to the town of South Lake Tahoe. That's a big thing to remember right there, the fact that we refer to South Lake as an actual town, compact and comprised of hotels, restaurants, casinos, and Heavenly Mountain. You can see its size on the map below, marked off in yellow - the only of its kind in the region. The "North Side," in comparison, is the general name given to the northern side of the lake and does not refer to one area in particular. It lacks a central town, and is instead made up of several that are spread out, including Tahoe City, North Star Ski Resort, Incline Village at Diamond Peak, Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl, and Truckee. This separation creates a sense of tranquility and more resort-type lodging, whereas the concentration of bars, casinos, and restaurants lends itself to place an emphasis on nightlife in South Lake. As our sis HotelChatter pointed out, the hotels in South Lake range from not-so-pretty to upscale lodging with some of the manliest amenity we've ever seen in the bathroom (seriously). Bottom line: If you want to party, stay in South Lake.
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Skiing: U.S. Alpine Championships at Squaw Valley this week Mar. 18, 2014
The 2014 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships begin today at Squaw Valley with races each day through Sunday. The U.S. Ski Team is sending a host of Olympic and national athletes to the five-day event, including Julia Mancuso, Marco Sullivan, Travis Ganong, Stacey Cook, Tim Jitloff and more. The U.S. Alpine Championships cap the ski racing year with athletes from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association club programs joining the U.S. Ski Team. The men’s FIS giant slalom kicks off the event today with races at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The women’s giant slalom is Thursday, followed by the men’s giant slalom on Friday. Also on Friday, Squaw will host an Olympic homecoming celebration from 6:308 p.m. with an athlete parade and more festivities. On Saturday, the men’s and women’s slalom races are on tap and the third annual Squaw Valley U.S. Ski Team ProAm. Sunday’s final race is the women’s FIS giant slalom. For more information, visit squaw.com.
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What's The Difference Between The North and South Sides of Lake Tahoe? Where: Tahoe, California , United States March 18, 2014 at 12:29 PM
Before we get into breaking down the newly renovated hotels of South Lake Tahoe, we'd like to tackle an often-asked question about the region: What's the difference between the hotels on the South and North sides? In general, North Lake Tahoe forgoes nightlife for tranquility, and as a result, most properties are spread out, self-sustaining and more full-service oriented than many found on the South side, where entertainment options are abundant and hotels are bunched together in town. Expect to find a lot of lesser quality and budget hotels sprinkled in amongst the best kept ones in South Lake (which you will learn about this week). South Lake Tahoe There are exceptions, but this is the basic rule to remember: "South Lake" is a concentrated town of a few square miles, and "North Lake" is more of a general term for the whole north side. If you stay in South Lake, you will be within walking distance of the town's attractions, which include nightlife and dining options outside of those present (or not present) at the hotel. You'll also find a lot of casinos in South Lake, whereas they are few and far between otherwise. Once owned by Frank Sinatra, North Lake's most infamous casino, the Cal Neva Resort, is currently closed for renovations. If you're looking for a secluded, resort experience, begin your search on the North side of the lake. If it's a smaller, more boutique-y experience that comes with the support of a town, South Lake is where you belong. Both sides have plenty of small inns, so your decision rests on whether or not you want the nightlife.
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Season Pass Deals Up for Grabs in the West 13th March 2014 | COURTNEY ROYCE NEWS REGIONS: CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, LAKE TAHOE, NEVADA, NORTH LAKE TAHOE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, UTAH RESORTS IN THIS ARTICLE: ARAPAHOE BASIN SKI AREA, BEAVER CREEK, BRECKENRIDGE, CANYONS, HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT, KEYSTONE, KIRKWOOD, MT. ROSE - SKI TAHOE, NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA, VAIL
Spring skiing is just around the corner, which means great deals on season passes are up for grabs. Vail Resort's Epic Passes are on sale now. Lock in the best early-bird prices with just $49 down before April 13 and enjoy skiing and riding across the world. Squaw and Alpine have announced a new partnership with Sugar Bowl and Royal Gorge for the 2014/2015 season. This Sunday, March 16, Mt. Rose will host Bobo's annual demo day where skiers and riders can try out next years equipement for free.
Squaw/Alpine Passholders Get Bonus Days 13th March 2014 | COURTNEY ROYCE
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are now partnering with Sugar Bowl and Royal Gorge in addition toSierra-at-Tahoe, allowing season passholders additional days on the mountain for the 2014-2015 winter season. Squaw/Alpine Gold passholders will receive four free days at Sugar Bowl and/or Royal Gorge. Silver passholders will receive two free days. If the tickets are used at Royal Gorge, the resort will throw in cross country ski rental equipment for free as well. Through the resort’s Mountain Collective partnership, the Tahoe Super Pass will continue to give access to 12 resorts across North America, including Alta, Snowbird, Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth and Whistler Blackhomb, as well as Squaw/Alpine, Sugar Bowl, Sierra and Royal Gorge. This new partnership gives skiers and boarders access to over 9,650 acres, 69 lifts and 419 runs between the twelve resorts. Season passes are on sale now.
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March 13, 2014
Junior Freeride athletes show off at Sugar Bowl The Tahoe Junior Freeride Series hosted its second stop of 2014 at Sugar Bowl this past weekend, with spectacular big-mountain skiing and snowboarding executed by some of Northern California’s finest youth freeriders. The athletes, many of whom also compete on a National Tour (called IFSA), spur each other on with exciting displays of bravado and technique in the regional series. For each freeride competition run, an athlete and a coach inspect the competition venue, and compose a high-scoring line to be skied fast and fluidly during the run. This past weekend saw the juniors ski down Avalanche on Saturday and the Nose of Disney on Sunday for a two-run cumulative score. Freeride competitions are judged based on a five-category system, whereby the first and most valuable category assigns a value to the degree of difficulty of the line choice itself. A route that runs over areas of exposure, such as cliffs, rocks, chutes and steep pitches, increase the line score. The other four categories are then weighted according to the line score, so that ideally the best skier skiing the hardest line wins. Those categories break down as follows: control, fluidity, technique, and overall impression. The winning runs generally incorporate a variety of terrain features, arcing turns down the face, at times approaching pitches over 50 degrees, and looking stylish as they throw grabs and 360s off 30-foot jumps, with fast, controlled turns between. Tahoe’s local 11-18-year-olds are as good as they come, with this past weekend’s Tahoe Junior Freeride Series podium winners indicating many top contenders for this year’s national title. The three-stop series culminates this weekend at Squaw Valley, where 130 skiers ages 18 and under will compete, and overall series champions will be awarded. Venue selections are weather-dependent, but may include Enchanted Forest, Cornice II Bowl and Granite Chief Peak.
The Tahoe Junior Freeride Series is part of the IFSA National Tour, with placeholders receiving points for both regional and national events. Following an invite-only National Championships in April — to be held this year at Snowbird, Utah — overall finishers are ranked, and North Tahoe teams are on pace to represent the area with particularly strong results. For more information, visit TJFS.info and freeskiers.org, or contact a local team for membership and entry.
March 11, 2014
Hale, Coxon, Rahlves, Lucas notch Banzai Tour victories Steep pitches and high speeds — and perhaps the best finish in event history — highlighted Sunday’s finals of the Rahlves’ Banzai Tour at Alpine Meadows. With firm conditions early giving way to softer snow as the day progressed, skiers and snowboarders impressed spectators with some of the most hotly contested racing yet on the third stop of the tour. “That was the most intense thing I have ever done in my life,” said Aimee Doran, who finished third in the women’s ski final. “I just told myself, ‘Be strong, stay on your feet — you can do this.’” After flying down The Face and into the CEP Compression, former Olympic snowboardcross racer Jayson Hale of Sierraville edged men’s snowboard points leader Sylvain Duclos in a photo finish that was worthy of a Sports Illustrated cover. “That was the best finish I have ever seen — in any sporting event,” spectator Danny Runkel said. Bobby Minghini came in third and Chris May fourth. Because Duclos and Hale had already secured berths in the men’s snowboard Super Final, Minghini will join them and the top finisher in the final stop at Sugar Bowl this weekend in a winner-takes-all heat worth $5,000 against Olympian Nate Holland. Meanwhile in the men’s ski category, Kyle Coxon — a former alpine ski racer from Utah — claimed victory for the third time in as many events. Kyle Smaine of South Lake Tahoe and Ben Paciotti of Squaw Valley finished second and third, respectively, and Cory Zila rounded out the final four-man heat. With his second-place finish, Smaine earned a spot in the men’s ski Super Final along with Coxon, Shawn McGee and the top finisher in the tour finale at Sugar Bowl. They will compete against former Olympic alpine racer and event founder Daron Rahlves in a winnertakes-all, $5,000 heat.
Paciotti claimed the Alaska Airlines “Flight Deck” award for the most impressive air, which is worth $100 toward an Alaska Airlines flight. The women brought their A-game as well, including regular top finishers and Banzai Tour ski rivals Shannon Rahlves and Shelly Robertson. The pair finished in the same order as the previous stop, with Rahlves taking the win ahead of Robertson, who won the opening event ahead of Rahlves. Doran was third and Allison Tanner fourth in the final heat. The women’s snowboarding division featured an exciting final heat that pitted the tour’s top riders against one another. South Shore snowboarder Casey Lucas took the GoPro Holeshot to the finish line while the other racers battled it out for podium spots. Squaw Valley pro Iris Lazzareschi clipped Audrey Hebert’s board and lost balance when attempting a pass on the final turn, allowing Hebert to finish second and Jenna Dramise third. The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour will wrap up this Sunday, March 16, at the place it all started with the Silver Belt Banzai at Sugar Bowl — which also will include the Chelone “Chilly” Miller “Live Free and Send It” memorial award.
Beyond the Downhill: Mountain Adventure Off The Slopes Posted by Jennifer Sweeney on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 It's been a drier than normal winter in Northern California but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of things to do in the mountains! There's definitely skiing and boarding to be had at the higher elevations, but for this girl who doesn't like going fast, falling down or being shown up by toddlers, the multitude of off-the-slope activities are definitely more my speed. Last week, I escorted a group of journalists to Lake Tahoe for a week of "beyond the downhill" adventures. The mountain destination is known for its world-class ski resorts and rugged back country trails, is also home to an incredible array of activities that will get your heart pumping but keep you closer to earth (well at least at 6,200 feet). First things first - there is snow! If you head up to the high peaks of Heavenly, Squaw Valley or Northstar, there will be snow and lots of it! Early winter storms gave resorts a good base and state-of-the-art snow-making kept it there. Even if you don't ski or board, it's well worth the time to ride the Heavenly gondola or Squaw Valley tram up to the observation decks (about 8,000 feet) for panoramic views of the Tahoe Basin. However, down at lake level it's a different story, but that just made hiking, stand up paddleboarding (yes, in winter!) and the adventure ropes course at Granlibakken even more enjoyable. Some of the more adventurous in our group completed the "black diamond" course but I stuck to the "Fuzzy Bunny" for beginners. I'm pretty impressed that I made it through the staircases, tightropes, swinging bridges and zipline and it was just as fun to watch my travel companions navigate the more challenging obstacles. On the west shore near rustic Camp Richardson, we hiked along the lake and got a look at the mansions of the Tallac Historic Site that graced the coastline in the late 1800s/early 1900s when wealthy Bay Area denizens came east for to spend their summers on the lake. It's a walk back through time where you can imagine the extravagant parties held here in the roaring 20s! There was definitely enough snow to strap on snowshoes for a vigorous walk through Paige Meadows. There was just enough of the white stuff to make the trek a bit of a workout and make the trees and ponds of the meadow look like a winter wonderland. If you don't have your own snowshoes, Brendan at Alpenglow Sports can get you outfitted in no time! The most unique experience - curling. Yep, that crazy Olympic sport with the brooms! Ray Sydney started the Lake Tahoe Epic Curling League a few years ago to promote the sport here in the western US and it's taking off on the South Shore. If you don't know much about it, the opposing teams take turns sending a 40-pound piece of polished granite across the ice, hoping to get their stone closest to the target. Those brooms are used to sweep the ice to "steer" the stone. It's really quite strenuous work and takes balance, finesse and core strength. The great thing is, Ray's club is there to teach you how to do it and beginners are welcome! After all that activity, what's better than relaxing apres ski? Whether on the North or South Shore, the dining and entertainment options abound. For upscale dining visit Jimmy's - the restaurant at the new, five-star resort, The Landing - which has an amazing menu that fuses Greek and California cuisine into something incredibly delicious. Be sure to try the keftedes - you'll never think of beets the same way again! The menu at Manzanita at the Ritz Carlton features California cuisine with locally sourced ingredients and a gorgeous bar with an impressive wine list and craft cocktails. The beet salad is to die for (I'm a little obsessed with beets). If you're looking for lively nightlife, take the gondola up to Tamarack Lodge atop Heavenly for the Unbuckle After Party. Their snow cat DJ booth keeps the
crowd moving well after the lifts close. Too wild? Try unwinding at the charming wine bar Uncorked or take in the lakefront views at Jake's on the Lake in Tahoe City instead. Even if you don't have a sweet tooth, you can't pass up one taste of their legendary Hulu Pie. In my book, the best thing after a few days of adventure is a massage. Actually, that's the best thing after a few days of anything but I digress. The Spa at Squaw Creek will leave you feeling pampered after a massage, steam, sauna, facial or simply chilling out in the Sanctuary. Once you're relaxed, you can head out again, refreshed and ready to try dog-sledding, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, tubing... the possibilities are endless (and that's just things to do in the winter)!
Check out the world's best outdoor travel spots By Mary Forgione Daily Deal and Travel Blogger
March 11, 2014, 8:15 a.m.
Go to India, not Nepal, for the best mountain experience, and to South Georgia Island, not Antarctica, for the best polar trip. And to Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada because it's "freakishly perfect for just about every pursuit." So says Outside magazine, which recently announced 2014 Travel Awards that focus on places with a big adrenaline kick — and outfitters that will take you there. The list is compiled by editors and writers, not readers, in a "best of" format that distills winners and runners-up into a neat, tantalizing paragraph each. Best desert trip goes to the 1,000-mile Atlantic coast of Namibia. Best beach goes to South Water Caye, Belize (TripAdvisor users voted the country's Ambergris Caye as the best island in the world). And the top "certified SUP boomtown" (SUP is stand-up paddle-boarding) is Bend, Ore. Outdoors gave Tahoe (best lake) high marks for its mountain bike routes (14-mile Flume Trail), kayak and SUP quotient, and high-altitude hiking potential — as well as its proximity to gambling. Other U.S. destinations that came in tops: — Bicycling through the Blue Ridge Mountains; — Ramble along the Seafood Sensation route of southern Louisiana; — Walking in the "warm arroyos and alpine trails" of Santa Fe, N.M.; — Fly-casting, mountain biking and wolf-watching at Yellowstone National Park (near Bozeman, Mont.); — Having an old-school camp experience at Squam Lake, N.H. Along with Belize, top international adventures include: — Cycling around Flanders and Wallonia in Belgium; — Wilderness hiking trek in the Grand St. Bernard Pass, Switzerland; — Hut hopping amid alpine valleys and high peaks in northern Italy's Dolomites. Mary.Forgione@latimes.com Follow us on Twitter @latimestravel, like us on Facebook @Los Angeles Times Travel. Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times
Sugar Bowl, Alpine Meadows, and Squaw Valley announce partnership
March 9, 2014 Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl andRoyal Gorge ski resorts have announced a partnership, according to Amelia Richmond, Senior Communications Director at Squaw Valley. Squaw and Alpine already partner with Sierra-at-Tahoe, and eight other resorts. Adding Sugar Bowl to the mix just makes things even better for the Gold Season Pass holders at the resorts. In the highly competitive skiing business, the Tahoe area resorts are leading the way in making it easy for skiers to enjoy a great deal more terrain during the season. "The new partnership with Sugar Bowl gives Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows season passholders access to four resorts in the Lake Tahoe area: Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and now Sugar Bowl. Combined, this means skiers and riders can experience 9,650 acres, 69 lifts and 419 runs across 13 legendary Sierra Nevada mountain peaks," said Richmond in the press release. That's an amazing amount of territory to explore. All of the resorts have an individual feel with an incredible diversity of trails to make turns on. Here's the deal, which starts in the 2014-2015 season: Squaw and Alpine Gold passholders will get to ski four free days at Sugar Bowl and/or Royal Gorge. The Silver passholders will enjoy two free days. Take advantage of the free days, except for Saturdays and holiday periods, any day of the 2014-15 season. Head over to Royal Gorge for some skinny ski fun and the xc ski rental equipment is included. Royal Gorge is the largest cross country ski resort in North America. Andy Wirth, the forward looking President and CEO of Squaw and Alpine, said "“We are constantly striving to provide more value to our loyal season passholders. Two years
ago, we added value through our partnership with Sierra-at-Tahoe and the Mountain Collective – and we’re continuing that mission now by adding access to Sugar Bowl’s incredible terrain.” In addition to the local resorts, Squaw and Alpine's Tahoe Super Pass and Mountain Collective membership includes Alta, Snowbird, Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth and Whistler Blackcomb.
March 8, 2014
Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl strike partnership for 2014-15 OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. — Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows have partnered with Sugar Bowl to give passholders skiing privileges at the Donner Summit resort and Royal Gorge Cross Country for the 2014-15 season, officials announced Friday. The partnership will allow Squaw/Alpine season passholders access to Squaw, Alpine, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Sugar Bowl, which equates to 9,650 acres, 69 lifts and 419 runs across 13 Sierra peaks. “We are constantly striving to provide more value to our loyal season passholders,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, in a statement. The deal affords Squaw/Alpine Gold passholders four free days at Sugar Bowl and/or Royal Gorge, according to a press release, while Silver passholders get two free days. All tickets will be redeemable any day of the 2014-15 season except Saturdays and during holiday periods. If tickets are used for Royal Gorge, cross-country rental equipment will be free. Sugar Bowl Resort offers 1,650 acres of skiing and riding across four mountain peaks, and averages the most annual snowfall in the Tahoe region, at 500 inches per season. Royal Gorge is the largest cross-country resort in America. Sugar Bowl’s Unrestricted season passholders will receive four free tickets to Squaw/Alpine, to be used Sunday-Friday on any non-holiday dates. Sugar Bowl’s Slightly Restricted passholders get three free tickets, while Summit Sunday and Midweek passholders receive two free tickets, all subject to the same restrictions. “At Sugar Bowl and Royal Gorge we pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional ski and ride experience,” the resorts’ CEO, Rob Kautz, said in a statement. “… We look forward to showing off our own exceptional snow, terrain and services to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadow’s skiers and riders.” By adding Squaw/Alpine, Sugar Bowl riders and skiers can access a total of 7,650 skiable acres, 55 lifts and more than 370 ski runs.
Wirth said the partnership is a “terrific fit.” “The spirit of Sugar Bowl is very much aligned with the soul of our mountains,” he said. Learn more about each resort at www.squaw.com, www.skialpine.com and www.sugarbowl.com.
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Things 2 Do This Weekend Posted: Mar 07, 2014 1:46 PM PSTUpdated: Mar 17, 2014 1:40 PM PDT
It's just past Mardi Gras but there are a number of events that play into that theme including the SPCA's Mardi Paws which concentrates on fat cats (seriously, cats over 10 pounds) and on king canines (again, seriously dogs over 60 pounds). And don't miss the Nevada Museum of Art which is "Where the Wild things Are!" Enjoy! Friday 3/7 Where the Wild Things Are Nevada Museum of Art This is the 50th anniversary of the publication of Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" and the Nevada Museum of Art is celebrating with a display of his artwork.
www.nevadaart.org
Monster Jam, Reno Livestock Events Center, 7:30 pm The Monster Trucks are back. Don't forget your camera and your earplugs!
www.monsterjam.com
SnowFest There are a ton of races and celebrations at various locations in Lake Tahoe. Including the closing ceremonies. Check their website for specifics.
www.tahoesnowfestival.com
Ring of Fire at the Eldorado This is an ongoing show featuring the songs of Johnny Cash.
www.eldorado.com
NADAGras Art Show at the Burner Hotel This is from the NadaDada group and is a smaller version of their hotel room art exhibit. And it's this weekend!
www.nadadadamotel.weekly.com
Mardi Paws at the SPCA, Fat Cats and King Canines In honor of Mardi Gras and all about cats over 10 pounds and dogs over 60.
www.spcanevada.org
Saturday 3/8 Dinosaur at the Discovery Wanna see a life-size Ichthyosaur? Not only can you see it you can hear from the artist who built it how he did it. It's on display at the Discovery Museum in Reno and the artist will be there from 11:30-noon.
www.dmnv.org
Reno Aces National Anthem tryouts, 10 am – 2 p m The Aces are holding their open house before the season and from 10-2 they will be holding tryouts for those who want to sing the National Anthem during home games this season. You do need to call ahead to reserve a time.
www.renoaces.com
Ring of Fire at the Eldorado This is an ongoing show featuring the songs of Johnny Cash.
www.eldorado.com
Entre Mujeres/ Among Us Women 2-4 pm International Day of Women (775)229-3669 (no website available)
Sons & Daughters of Erin Dinner at the Siena 4:30-9 p.m. The Sons and Daughters of Erin will be holding their St. Patrick's Day Celebration a little early this year. It's at the Siena in Reno from 4:30 – 9 p.m.
www.irishnv.org
Where the Wild Things Are Nevada Museum of Art Not only is this a great family friendly interactive art exhibit, it's the second Saturday of the month, which means admission is free. Join Max in his world of Maurice Sendak's Wild Things. Story time will be bilingual, there will be music playing and taking pictures is encouraged in that gallery as they're holding an Instagram photo contest!
www.nevadaart.org
Monster Jam Livestock Events Center 2 p.m.
The Monster Trucks are back. Don't forget your camera and your earplugs!
www.monsterjam.com
SnowFest There are a ton of races and celebrations at various locations in Tahoe. Including the closing ceremonies. Check their website for specifics.
www.tahoesnowfestival.com
NADAGras Art Show at the Burner Hotel
www.nadadadamotel.weekly.com
Sunday 3/9 Ring of Fire at the Eldorado This is an ongoing show featuring the songs of Johnny Cash.
www.eldorado.com
NADAGras Art Show at the Burner Hotel
www.nadadadamotel.weekly.com
Where the Wild Things Are Nevada Museum of Art This is the 50th anniversary of the publication of Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" and the Nevada Museum of Art is celebrating with a display of his artwork
www.nevadaart.org
Monster Jam Livestock Events Center 2 p.m. The Monster Trucks are back. Don't forget your camera and your earplugs!
www.monsterjam.com
SnowFest There are a ton of races and celebrations at various locations in Tahoe. Including the closing ceremonies. Check their website for specifics.
www.tahoesnowfestival.com Â
Hangover Helper: The Best Ski Town Bloody Mary's Thursday, March 6, 2014, by Megan Barber
It's a fact that the Bloody Mary—that glorious, hair-of-the-dog libation comprised of vodka and tomato juice- is a staple at ski resorts across the continent. Late nights and long slope seshes require an AM eye-opener, which is why Curbed Ski has sussed out the best, from Sun Valley to Breckenridge. Hang onto this list, especially if you're planning to attend theAprès Ski Cocktail Classic in Snowmass, March 13-17 or hit any of the raging spring break parties this month. You'll thank us. Note: The bars and restaurants are listed based on geography, not in any particular ranking. Upset your fav spot didn't make the list? Send us an email or let us know in the comments.
Best Ski Town Bloody Mary's DUSTY'S BAR AND BBQ This Western-themed sister restaurant/bar to après ski hotspot Garibaldi Lift Co. is famed for its Mary’s, which for some reason Canadians persist in calling a Caesar (made with Clamato as a matter of course). Dusty’s uses a Smirnoff base, and expands upon that with house specials like the Horse Outta Hell (habanero wing hot sauce and Worcestershire, garnished with pepperoncini, spicy green bean, hot pepperoni stick, celery, and lime, rimmed with a 5-Pepper dry wing spice; BYO Alka-Seltzer), and the Smoke Pit Caesar (smoked Tabasco and Worcestershire, garnished with “two cubes of our beef brisket,” pepperoncini, celery, and lime, rimmed with steak spice).
THE SUMMIT DECK & GRILLE There are plenty of spots in Tahoe to suck down a Bloody Mary before a killer view but the people’s favorite is at this top-of-mountain bbq joint in North Shore. The Velvet Bacon Bloody Mary is more of a meal in a glass, a strong, savory libation made with “a touch” of Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout from Firestone Walker Brewing Co (Paso Robles, CA)., Ketel One, housemade spiced, candied bacon, pickled veggies, pepperoncini and olive juice, horseradish, and lots of spices including a dash of cinnamon. Hold onto your helmet.
RIVER RUN DAY LODGE Tangy, spicy, soothing: the Bloody Mary's here have all the things you look for in a hangover salve, with the benefit of a five-star view of Bald Mountain and the Big Wood River. Apres ski is hopping at this gorgeous, river-rock and exposed log on-mountain establishment, but if you're in dire need of help, hit up
the bar during breakfast, and park it in front of the floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Makes that bender worth it, doesn't it?
THE ST. REGIS DEER VALLEY Fact: The Bloody Mary was invented at the King Cole Bar at St. Regis New York by a French bartender. The luxury hotel brand has gone on to develop a signature Bloody Mary for each of its properties, and not surprisingly, they’re amazing. The 7452 Mary from the stunning Deer Valley property (which necessitates an on-call funicular to get to the hotel proper) is a mix of the house Mary mix (no trade secrets, but it does contain a dash of cornichon brine) topped with a wasabi and celery “espuma” and dash of cayenne, in a glass rimmed with black salt (an homage to the mining history of the era; the cloud-like espuma represents snow). Whatever, it’s divine. At the St. Regis, Aspen, try the Downhill Snapper with Ketel One vodka, muddled dill, basil, and freshly cracked pepper, garnished with olives and a pickle.
WOODY CREEK DISTILLERS This award-winning distillery earns Curbed Ski’s top honors for best Bloody Mary. While the smooth, Roaring Fork Valley-grown potato vodka is key, it’s the balance of smoky/savory/sweet/spicy from the housemade celery bitters and Mary mix, and bacon salt rim that clear our head and warm our heart, every time.
WESTSIDE CAFE AND MARKET This unassuming greasy spoon serves up their wildly popular Mary’s in a goblet festooned with a vegetable skewer and draft beer side car, for just $9.95 a pop. Should you require further enticement, add bacon vodka and a slice of candied bacon to the whole shebang. Tip: down at least one before you go wait in the parking lot lift lines.
THE MOTHERLOADED TAVERN Although the pickle or jalapeno-infused versions are popular, it’s the Motherlode mix (made by neighbor Motherlode Provisions- no connection) that makes this dive’s Mary’s king. DIY types should swing by the mom-and-pop Motherlode Provisions’ new retail shop for bbq, steak, hot sauces, and the Bloody Mary mix. The cult concoction is an appealingly rich blend gussied up with cayenne, black pepper, jalapeno, molasses, and carrot juice.
6TH ALLEY BAR & GRILL The December remodel may be recent, but the word has long been out about the Dude Bacon Vodka Bloody Mary’s. Garnished with a strip of the crispy stuff, these puppies are chugged, in the words of one
local, “all day long.” Need more help? Fridays mean $5.50 hot pepper-infused Hornitos Lime shots. Careful, don’t cross those tips.
Lake Tahoe Ranked 'Best Lake' 3/5/2014 Lake Tahoe has been chosen as 'Best Lake' in the OUTSIDE Travel Awards. The 2014 award notes that Lake Tahoe “is freakishly perfect for just about every outdoor pursuit,” and adds to Lake Tahoe’s numerous other awards including “America’s Best Lake” by the readers of USA Today.
From News Release... NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. (March 4, 2014) –OUTSIDE, America’s leading active lifestyle brand, has selected Lake Tahoe as an honoree of their annual Travel Awards, which celebrate the top destinations, companies, products, and travel providers—in the U.S. and around the world—that inspire people to participate in an active lifestyle. Lake Tahoe, located in both California and Nevada, is honored as the Best Lake. The entire list of honorees appear in OUTSIDE’s April issue (on newsstands March 18), and online atwww.outsideonline.com/travelawards. This year, OUTSIDE tapped its global network of correspondents, who traveled across America, to Belize, Switzerland, Italy, and beyond, identifying the best new adventures, stunning lakes, gorgeous new lodges and hotels, family vacations, secret getaways, high-tech airports, and foodie hotspots. The result is more than 50 spectacular trips, plus the best travel apps, tour guides, gear, tips for traveling green, and advice for traveling solo. “We're so proud to be honored with the 'Best Lake' title,” said Andy Chapman, chief marketing officer of the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative. “Not only is Lake Tahoe one of the most beautiful places on earth, it's a mecca for human-powered sports on or off the lake year-round ranging from mountain biking to sailing. North Lake Tahoe is one of the only places you can ski and golf in the same day, and then cap it off with five-star cuisine and unbeatable hospitality. This recognition is a truly a tribute to all that we have to offer here in the Sierra.”
The 2014 award notes that Lake Tahoe “is freakishly perfect for just about every outdoor pursuit.” North Lake Tahoe is proud to offer 10 major downhill skiing resorts including the Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl Resort and Diamond Peak. North Tahoe is also home to the largest cross country resort in the nation, Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort. In summer North Lake Tahoe offers miles of biking and hiking trails, dozens of beaches to explore by stand up paddleboard or kayak, award winning festivals like Autumn Food & Wine, Ta-Hoe Nalu and more. “Whether you’re looking to go big for an expedition, splurge on a luxurious paradise, or plan an epic family trip, OUTSIDE has unearthed fifty travel gems that will inspire you to renew that passport,” said OUTSIDE Editor Chris Keyes. This award adds to Lake Tahoe’s numerous other awards including “America’s Best Lake” by the readers of USA Today, #1 “Ski Destination” with Rand McNally and Orbitz, #1 “Travel Destination” with TripAdvisor and a top finisher in USA Today’s reader’s poll for “Best Ski Destination”. The complete list of Travel Awards winners will be featured in the April issue of OUTSIDE, available March 18, and online at www.outsideonline.com/travelawards.
Snippets about Lake Tahoe PUBLISHED: MARCH 5, 2014 BY: ADMIN, IN: GRAB BAG, NO COMMENT
More than 1,000 changes to the Title 24 building codes took effect Jan. 1. South Lake Tahoe building official Dave Walker is giving a presentation on March 12 from 5-7pm at Lake Tahoe Airport about some of the most significant changes. • Outside magazine in its April issue, which will be on newsstands March 18, selected Lake Tahoe as the Best Lake in its travel awards. • The 2014 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships are March 19-23 are Squaw Valley. • State Sen. Ted Gaines, R-Roseville, is hosting a town hall meeting regarding the Kings Beach Recreation Area on March 20 for 6-8pm at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. • Radio Shack is closing more than 1,000 stores. An employee of the South Lake Tahoe story said this one is staying open.
OUTSIDE MAGAZINE, APRIL 2014 TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014
2014 Travel Awards: Best Lake By: STEPHANIE PEARSON
Winner: Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada Sitting at 6,225 feet and ringed by the Sierra Nevada, the country’s largest alpine lake (191 square miles) is freakishly perfect for just about every outdoor pursuit. It’s surrounded by 18 ski resorts, myriad hiking trails into the west-side Desolation Wilderness, the technical, 14mile-long singletrack Flume Trail on the east side, and long stretches of surprisingly solitary beaches—like famously remote Skunk Harbor—from which you can launch a kayak or sailboat or go for a swim. Lake Tahoe is also hardly a secret, but there’s a way to get your own slice of the Sierra oasis. Avoid the gambling masses at Crystal Bay on the north end and stay near Truckee at the Cedar House Sport Hotel (from $190; cedarhousesporthotel.com). The owners have plotted out new custom escapes, providing the gear, food, maps, and guide (if needed). Sample itinerary: hike 8,742-foot Martis Peak the first day; mountain-bike the Flume Trail, with a cool-down dip at Secret Beach, on day two; then wind down with a mellow kayak or stand-up paddle on day three (prices vary depending on activity). SUPers: time your trip for the Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival, August 15–17 (tahoenalu.com).
Runner-Up: Squam Lake, New Hampshire Nothing spells summer like a quiet cabin on a lake, and for that sort of leisure, it’s hard to beat 6,791-acre Squam. Base yourself at one of the 60 rustic cottages at century-old Rockywold Deephaven Camps, which offers family-style meals served in a post-and-beam dining hall, tennis on clay courts, a four-mile out-the-back-door hike up 1,260-foot West Rattlesnake Mountain, and kayak, canoe, Sunfish, and rowboat rentals (from $3,160 per week; rdcsquam.com). For an overview of the Lakes Region, try the new inn-to-inn bike tours along the 59-mile Northern Rail Trail, which stretches from Lebanon to Boscawen (prices vary;bikethenorthernrailtrail.com). No matter how you choose to tackle Squam, your evening entertainment consists of deciphering loon calls.
March 3, 2014
North Lake Tahoe Bridal Faire to capacity, August event planned TAHOE, Calif. — The North Lake Tahoe Bridal Faire, sponsored by the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association and Squaw Valley, took place on Feb. 1 at the Olympic Village Lodge in Squaw Valley. North Lake Tahoe is a dream wedding destination for thousands of couples, which has made it the home of top wedding planners, wedding photographers, and wedding venues. Dozens of those wedding experts will be on hand at the Bridal Faire at Olympic Village Lodge in Squaw Valley at the next North Lake Tahoe Bridal Faire on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014. The event allows brides-to-be to connect with North Tahoe wedding vendors. February’s event had 85 brides meet with more than 50 wedding vendors at a completely sold-out event. This summer’s faire will showcase the entire range of wedding services, from food to photography. Full wedding place settings, decorations and fashion will be on display. Attendees will be free to walk through the conference room and coordinate with vendors, services and planners. The Bridal Faire will also return to Squaw Valley for a winter trade show again on Feb. 7, 2015. For information on exhibiting or attending the 2014 August Bridal Faire contact Ginger@GoTahoeNorth.com or call 530-581-8764.
March 3, 2014
Snow allows more Tahoe-area ski resorts to fully open RENO, Nev. — A string of storms has allowed some ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada to finally open all of their terrain, but others still need more snow before they can swing into full operation after an unusually dry winter. The region’s ski season typically begins to wind down in March. While it varies from year to year depending on snowfall, Sierra ski resorts usually aim to have all lifts and runs in operation around the Christmas holiday period. But not this year, with the Sierra snowpack still well below average. Squaw Valley, just north of Lake Tahoe, on Saturday reported 80 percent of its terrain was open after getting 2.5 feet of snow over the last week. Twenty of its 29 lifts and 75 of its 170 trails were open. The resort has received 15 feet of snow this season so far — 9 feet of that in February. Squaw Valley averages 37 feet of snow annually. “We couldn’t be happier about all the new snow,” Squaw Valley spokeswoman Amelia Richmond said by email. “Winter has finally arrived in Tahoe, and the skiing conditions have been amazing in these last few weeks. With snow forecasted through this week, we’re looking forward to an amazing March and spring skiing season.” At the Heavenly resort on Lake Tahoe’s south shore, a storm that dropped 20 inches of snow this week allowed the opening of all but some of its advanced and expert terrain, spokeswoman Sally Gunter said. “The storm ... has invigorated skiers and riders, rewarding them for their patience and giving them the best powder days of the season,” she said. “We are looking to finish the season on a really strong note.” Mammoth Mountain, just east of Yosemite National Park, is one of the lucky resorts with all lifts and runs in operation. The resort was able to fully open even before this week’s storm dumped up to four feet of snow there. “The last couple of days of heavy snowfall on Mammoth Mountain has brought back skiers and riders in the numbers we would normally expect to see in March,” Rusty Gregory, CEO of Mammoth Mountain, said in a statement. “I’ve seen as much as 225 inches of snow fall in
March and there is nothing like 4 feet of new snow to remind people that there is still plenty of winter left to enjoy here in California’s High Sierra.” Northstar California spokeswoman Rachael Woods said 20 inches of new snow at her resort just north of Tahoe allowed it to open 75 percent of its terrain. “This snow injects some enthusiasm in skiers and riders,” she said. While the snowpack has grown since a month ago, it still is well below the seasonal average, according to a snow survey conducted Thursday by the California Department of Water Resources. The snowpack’s water content was only 33 percent of the long-term average at Echo Summit near Lake Tahoe.
Photo Gallery: Mardi Squaw Snowfest party Mar. 3, 2014
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Fresh snow replenishes Sierra ski resorts March 01, 2014, 05:00 AM By Don Thompson The Associated
SACRAMENTO — The winter has been rough on Sierra ski resorts, but this week’s storms have them looking a lot more like they usually do at this time of year. Squaw Valley, which sits between Truckee and the north shore of Lake Tahoe, received 22 inches of snow at its top elevations between Wednesday, when the first storm hit, and midday Friday. Neighboring Alpine Meadows reported 15 inches. Amelia Richmond, a spokeswoman for both resorts, said another foot of new snow is expected by Saturday. Richmond said the resorts had their best weekends of the year over the Presidents’ Day holiday and last weekend. “One of the best things about skiers and snowboarders is that when it snows, they’ll come,” she said. “We’re expecting another great weekend with lots of skiers and riders coming up to check out the fresh snow.” At Northstar California Resort, also near Lake Tahoe’s north shore, 13 inches of snow had fallen near the summit over the last two days, spokeswoman Rachael Woods said. “The snow is phenomenal,” she said. “I’m watching people getting off the lifts, and all you see are huge smiles underneath goggles.” Woods said she rode up the chairlift with a San Francisco resident who played hooky from work and drove 200 miles to the resort Thursday night to cut fresh tracks Friday. Nearly 2 feet of fresh snow had accumulated over the past two days at the 9,800-foot summit of Kirkwood Mountain Resort, south of Lake Tahoe near Carson Pass. About 15 inches had fallen between Wednesday and midday Friday at the University of California Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab located near Donner Summit. “All these (storm) events move us a little higher up, but we’re still well below average,” said researcher Randall Osterhuber. He had been measuring snow depths and was struck by how little snow was accumulating below 7,000 feet, roughly the elevation of the snow lab. Below that elevation, precipitation this winter has largely been falling as rain.
“It still adds to the watershed, which is a good thing,” he said. The relatively high snow levels will lead to a smaller overall snowpack if the conditions hold through the spring, and that means less runoff from snowmelt into California’s reservoirs over the summer. In a typical year, the Sierra Nevada snowpack provides about one-third of the water used in the state. The warmer winter temperatures and more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow could be harbingers of the future, Osterhuber said. Those conditions have been predicted for California as a consequence of climate change.
Things 2 Do This Weekend Posted: Feb 28, 2014 2:06 PM PSTUpdated: Mar 10, 2014 6:12 PM PDT
It's a good weekend for winter sports now that we have fresh snow in the mountains. And Lake Tahoe will be celebrating for the next week with SnowFest. Parades, parties and ski races will be taking place in various venues all week long. In addition you can celebrate food trucks in south Reno, help raise money for nursing scholarships while treasure hunting, and party like a film star for the Oscars. Enjoy! Friday 2/28 South Reno Food Truck Fest, 7370 Desert Way, 5-9 pm This is the second event of the year for the food trucks in the south end of town. They expect to have two dozen on hand for the event. www.Battleborntruck.com
JTNN & N-RAP at the Joe on the UNR Campus from 8-10 pm This is not a fundraiser…but an event to raise awareness of drug and alcohol abuse on campus. It starts at 8 pm. www.jtnn.com
SnowFest, various locations in Lake Tahoe This year's SnowFest begins this weekend and events including parties, parades and races will take place all around the north end of the lake. Tonight the kind and queen of SnowFest will be named and there will be fireworks at Squaw Valley at 7:30 p.m. www.tahoesnowfest.com
Saturday 3/1 Police Unity Tour Fundraiser dinner at 5-9 pm, Abel's Mexican Cantina in Verdi This is a fundraiser for fallen law enforcers nationwide. The actual ride isn't until May but the fundraising has already begun. www.abelsmexican.com
Alpha Tau Omega men shaving heads to raise money for childhood cancer research, noon
Another St. Baldrick's event this time with the fraternity men of Alpha Tau Omega at the University of Nevada. www.stbaldricks.org/events/ATONevada
Autograph signing from Tuskegee airmen in JA Nugget Lobby noon- 5 pm These living pieces of history will be at JA Nugget to meet and sign autographs. It's part of the Tuskegee Airmen's Western Region Conference. There will be three surviving airmen taking part. Darin.farr@va.gov www.janugget.com
Physicians Wives Rummage Sale, Reno Livestock Events Center exhibit hall Every year they clean out closets, collect from around the community and raise a lot of money for nursing scholarships and for local non-profits. Starts at 8 am and goes until 4pm at the Reno Livestock Events Center Exhibit Hall. www.awcms.org
SnowFest Various events including parades, parties and ski races in North Tahoe. Check their website for specifics. www.tahoesnowfest.com
Paper Moon expands to Midtown Reno www.papermoonstores.com
Sunday 3/2 Oscar Party at St. James Infirmary This is St. James Infirmary's sixth Annual Oscar Party which includes hors d'oeuvres, fancy cocktails and an Oscar ballot to watch the show. Starts at 3 and goes until about 8. Upscale cocktail attire is encouraged but not required. Call (775) 657-8484
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2/28/2014
PERFECT DESTINATIONS FOR A MARCH GETAWAY
Lake Tahoe As winter snow begins to melt away, March is a great time to head out on that last-chance ski vacation. Many of the resorts at North Lake Tahoe celebrate the spring season with SnowFest (the 2014 theme is "Bringing Back the '80s"), a 10-day lineup of family-friendly events and activities. Photo by Purestock/Thinkstock
Plenty of fun for families at SnowFest Feb. 27, 2014
Among the 56 events that will take place at the 33rd annual North Lake Tahoe SnowFest, many are ideal for children and families. SnowFest, which started Thursday night with a kickoff party at Gar Woods, is lighting things up tonight at Squaw Valley with the SnowFest Queen coronation, a mountain laser show and fireworks. “It’s 10 days of fun,” said Pam Pokorny, executive director of SnowFest. “You’re outdoors; if it’s snowing, it’s fun, if it’s sunny, it’s fun. Everybody’s smiling, everybody’s happy, everybody is having a great time.” New to the festival this year is Granlibakken’s Gone “Bonkers” Kids Ski Race, an obstacle race set up at Granlibakken Resort. “That’s going to be a really fun new event this year,” Pokorny said. The “dress up your dog” contest takes places prior to the Kings Beach SnowFest Parade. The two parades that occur during SnowFest are fun for kids who either are participating or watching. “The kids just see that it’s really a great community,” Pokorny said. “The local kids that are in the parades know that this is what they do every year, they get up and go to the parade.” The Arctic Paddle Race on March 9 is at Waterman’s Landing and is a free event for kids 17 and younger. The Stohlgren Bros Ice Cream eating Contest on Saturday is another kid-friendly activity.
Even the events that might not be suitable for children can be good for families to watch together, such as the Tahoe Mountain Man contest on Sunday. “A lot of these activities are family-oriented where kids and families can watch all these things,” Pokorny said. “The contestants might be adults, but the kids can go watch.” Pokorny encourages SnowFest festival attendees to visitwww.tahoesnowfestival.com for an up-to-date calendar of events.
Taking the plunge: Annual Polar Bear Swim at Tahoe Saturday Feb. 27, 2014
A dip in Lake Tahoe may sound inviting on a warm summer day. But, how about in the middle of winter? Those brave enough to test the waters can do so on Saturday as part of the 25th Annual Gar Woods Polar Bear Swim. The popular spectator event returns as part of North Lake Tahoe’s 33rd annual SnowFest! today through March 9. “It’s almost not as cold as you think it is going to be. When I did it, the water temperature was warmer than the air,” Debra Dudley, a past polar bear swim participant and board member for the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, said. “I couldn’t wait to get in because we were standing there in a towel, freezing on the beach.” History of the Plunge While polar plunges or polar bear swims aren’t really a new phenomenon, it is hard to pinpoint where the tradition of swimming or diving into cold water actually originated. Variations of the polar plunge take place all over the world, in many different forms from dips to swims. In Russia and Eastern Europe, people have been diving into cold waters for centuries. Many of these traditions coincide with Epiphany, a Christian holiday traditionally celebrated yearly on Jan. 6. In Scandinavian countries, the tradition includes time spent in a sauna or heated environment followed by a dip in ice-cold water. The contrast between hot and cold creates a euphoric sensation similar to that of a runner’s high. The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club in Vancouver, British Columbia on New Year’s Day. Since its inaugural dip in 1920, the event has grown in popularity with 2014 being the biggest year yet with 2,550 official participants.
The Coney Island Polar Bear Club founded in 1903 is the “oldest winter bathing organization in the United States.” The group swims in the Atlantic Ocean every Sunday from November to April. Another New York club, the Long Beach Polar Bears, hosts an annual event on Super Bowl Sunday with a quick dip and then onto the pre-game. The annual event has become a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Page
Founded in 2009, the International Ice Swimming Association aims to establish ice water swimming as a recognized sport and perhaps one day a medal event in the Winter Olympics. To meet the criteria set forth by the organization, a swim must be a least one-mile in distance in water at a constant 41 degrees or below. Health Benefits vs. Risks Some say that there are health benefits of swimming in cold water including reduced stress as well as increased stamina and immunity. Fans of cold-water swimming report fewer incidents of colds and respiratory infections. However, health professionals caution that there are risks as well particularly for those with a history of heart or respiratory issues. Spending prolonged periods of time in cold water is not recommended as Hypothermia can set in as quickly as 15 minutes. Keeping your feet and head warm by wearing water shoes and a swim cap is recommended as this will also help with retaining body temperature overall. One thing is for sure, diving into cold water, definitely shocks the system. Dive Right In Those wanting to test their stamina can swim the 250 yards around the Gar Woods pier as part of Saturday’s event. “The most exhilarating point though is that you have this crowd that is cheering you the whole way,” Dudley said. “The whole pier is lined with people.” If the cheering crowd is not enough to get you to dive in perhaps the reward at the end is. The fastest swimmer in both the men’s and women’s divisions receives a $150.
Second and third place in each division receive $100 and $50 respectively. Not to be left out in the cold, the last place finishers receive a free hot drink. While weather so far this winter has been pretty mild, Saturday’s forecast may include some snow. Water temperatures are generally between 42 and 44 degrees. “If you are willing to swim in Tahoe, you’re willing to swim in Tahoe and the exterior weather doesn’t seem to make much of a difference,” Dudley said. Apparently it is never too cold for a day at the beach, or a dip in the lake.
Nominations sought for North Lake Tahoe Community Awards Dinner February 27, 2014
TAHOE, Calif. — Integral members of the community will gather at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe on Thursday, March 27 for the 60th Annual Community Awards Dinner. Individuals are recognized for dedication to North Lake Tahoe through services in business, community development and volunteer work. The deadline to nominate outstanding individuals and business organizations is March 3. Businesses may also nominate employees and volunteers of the year. Nomination forms are run through Constant Contact and dispersed to members of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association for consideration. “This community continues to thrive, not because of the fancy hotels or new chair lifts, but because of the people who work day in and day out to make North Lake Tahoe great,” said Ginger Karl, North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association membership manager. “Our neighbors, family and friends are the ones who stop at nothing to strengthen our community. Their efforts are immeasurable and we can never thank each person enough, for without them, North Lake Tahoe wouldn’t be what it is today.” A silent auction will be held on behalf of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce. Prizes include a Pau Hana paddleboard, cruiser bike, a five-day Cancun vacation, a hot air balloon ride, four-day Sage tickets to Wanderlust Festival and more will be up for grabs. Socialize during cocktail hour at 6 p.m. Following, guests sit down for a five-star dinner at 7 p.m. The awards presentation begins shortly after the celebratory meal. Tickets for the evening are $85 per person and can be purchased through Go Tahoe North. Tables of 10 are also available at $850. For more information call 530-581-8764 or email Ginger Karl at ginger@gotahoenorth.com.
Sierra ski resorts report up to 16 inches of snow; a similar storm hits Friday (video) Feb. 27, 2014
Plenty of fun for families at SnowFest Feb. 27, 2014
Families can get into the act at North Lake Tahoe's annual SnowFest! festival. / Provided to the RGJ Written by Regina Bradley
Among the 56 events that will take place at the 33rd annual North Lake Tahoe SnowFest, many are ideal for children and families. SnowFest, which started Thursday night with a kickoff party at Gar Woods, is lighting things up tonight at Squaw Valley with the SnowFest Queen coronation, a mountain laser show and fireworks. “It’s 10 days of fun,” said Pam Pokorny, executive director of SnowFest. “You’re outdoors; if it’s snowing, it’s fun, if it’s sunny, it’s fun. Everybody’s smiling, everybody’s happy, everybody is having a great time.” New to the festival this year is Granlibakken’s Gone “Bonkers” Kids Ski Race, an obstacle race set up at Granlibakken Resort. “That’s going to be a really fun new event this year,” Pokorny said. The “dress up your dog” contest takes places prior to the Kings Beach SnowFest Parade. The two parades that occur during SnowFest are fun for kids who either are participating or watching. “The kids just see that it’s really a great community,” Pokorny said. “The local kids that are in the parades know that this is what they do every year, they get up and go to the parade.” The Arctic Paddle Race on March 9 is at Waterman’s Landing and is a free event for kids 17 and younger. The Stohlgren Bros Ice Cream eating Contest on Saturday is another kid-friendly activity.
Even the events that might not be suitable for children can be good for families to watch together, such as the Tahoe Mountain Man contest on Sunday. “A lot of these activities are family-oriented where kids and families can watch all these things,” Pokorny said. “The contestants might be adults, but the kids can go watch.” Pokorny encourages SnowFest festival attendees to visitwww.tahoesnowfestival.com for an up-to-date calendar of events.
Some of the best events to help plan your week Feb. 26, 2014
1. North Lake Tahoe Thursday, Friday, Saturday North Lake Tahoe SnowFest: Bringing Back the ‘80s. Put on your most outrageous day-glow, gaiters and jeans, and Wayfarer sunglasses and make plans to be here for another great celebration. SnowFest is a 10-day winter carnival celebrating life in the High Sierra. The festival includes 65 events, including: torchlight parade, fireworks, Polar Bear Swim, Uphill/Downhill Dash, Dog Pull, parades and many other events. Details: 530-583-7167 orwww.tahoesnowfestival.com.
2. Downtown Reno Friday and Saturday Reno Tahoe Comedy’s Third Anniversary: Highlighting the anniversary show will be headlining comedian Jimmy Walker. Rising from the streets of New York’s ghettos to television superstardom, Jimmie Walker personifies the great American success story. His catch phrase “Dyn-o-mite!” is part of the modern vernacular. Shows are at 8:30 p.m Feb. 28 and 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. March 1. Tickets for this event cost $17 in advance and $22 the day of the show. Where: Pioneer Underground, 100 S. Virginia St. Details:www.renotahoecomedy.com or 775-322-5233.
3. UNR Friday and Saturday
Farflung: The multimedia, theater performance with music composed by Graham Flett shows at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 1; and 1:30 p.m March 2 the Redfield Studio Theater. Additional showings at 7:30 p.m. March 5-8. “Farflung� explores physical and vocal propulsion in an investigation of boundaries beyond familiar, habitual surroundings portraying an eccentric family leaves behind their repetitive interconnection in a defunct, factory-like environment. Cost: $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; $10 for students, university faculty and staff; $5 for university students. Free parking after 7 p.m. at Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex. Where: UNR, Church Fine Arts Building, located near cross streets of North Virginia Street and College Dr. Details: 775-850-2700 or www.unr.edu/arts.
4. Downtown Reno Saturday A Night of Acoustic Appreciation: Singer-songwriters including Jenera Paxton, Adam Springob and Greg Gilmore and Whitebulbs, plus others perform at 7 p.m. March 1. All Ages show. Doors at 6 p.m. Presale tickets cost $6, or $10 at the door. Where: The Knitting Factory, 211 N. Virginia St. Details: 775-323-5648.
February 25, 2014
North Lake Tahoe and Truckee business briefs TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. — Content for briefs is selected from e-mail submissions to Community Editor Amy Edgett at aedgett@sierrasun.com. Nominations sought for Community Awards Dinner Integral members of the community will gather at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe on Thursday, March 27 for the 60th Annual Community Awards Dinner. Individuals are recognized for dedication to North Lake Tahoe through services in business, community development and volunteer work. The deadline to nominate outstanding individuals and business organizations is March 3. Businesses may also nominate employees and volunteers of the year. Nomination forms are run through Constant Contact (http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e8xwuzv9hro61faj/a016rhrtwnc9c/questions) and dispersed to members of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association for consideration. A silent auction will be held on behalf of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce. Prizes include a Pau Hana paddleboard, cruiser bike, a five-day Cancun vacation, a hot air balloon ride, four-day Sage tickets to Wanderlust Festival and more will be up for grabs. Socialize during cocktail hour at 6 p.m. Following, guests sit down for a five-star dinner at 7 p.m. The awards presentation begins shortly after the celebratory meal. Tickets for the evening are $85 per person at gotahoenorth.com. Tables of 10 are also available at $850. Call 530-581-8764 or email Ginger Karl at ginger@gotahoenorth.com for more. Lake of the Sky BNI Lake of the Sky BNI is meeting weekly in Tahoe City again. The networking group meets Thursday mornings, 7:30 a.m. in the North Tahoe Arts Center, 380 North Lake Blvd. Drop in and find out how BNI can help grow your business. The mission behind BNI is to “help members increase their business through a structured, positive and professional ‘word-ofmouth’ program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals.”
Connect for Lunch Nine 41 Eatery & Bar, located in Incline Village, Nev. will host the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association “Connect for Lunch” event on Wednesday, March 12, noon-1 p.m. Enjoy lunch with fellow business community friends and colleagues while learning about key generational changes in business and culture from expert Mike Brooks. Brooks, speaker, consultant and founder of Mission30, brings an extraordinary perspective about ongoing economic, technological, political and societal changes that will affect your business. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members and includes lunch with a meat or vegetarian option. For more information or to RSVP contact Ginger@GoTahoeNorth.com or call 530-5818764. Tech-head wanted The Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC) is seeking technical support for computers, Internet service, email and website. TRWC has enjoyed successful relationships with all vendors, however recent growth means expansion of technical needs. Proposals are due to TRWC by Feb. 28. For more information contact Kathy Whitlow at 530-550-8760, ext. 5. Kelly Brothers to mix it up As the Irish say, “You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.” So, be outstanding in your field and join the networking at Kelly Brother’s Painting, Inc. and CATT mixer.. Expect a crowd. Everyone loves to celebrate with the Irish. Meet the “Truckee Business Klan” and community organization members at 11020 Trails End Court, Pioneer Commerce Center near Clear Capitol. Look for the dancing little people Thursday, March 13, 5-7 p.m. A 5 p.m. Truckee-Donner Chamber ribbon cutting will dedicate the Kelly Brother’s new office building. A splash of green will be served on draft with food by Full Belly Deli. Best dressed Irishman and Irishwoman win cash. NOTE: You better be lookin’ for those green socks. We’ll not be allowing anyone to prove they are “wearin’ the green” by showing their shorts. This is a respectable event even if the Kellys are in charge. Fun, secrets, a prize or two and a bit of Irish magic. There will be a shuttle from and to your car for your convenience.
Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Feb. 25, 2014
Another storm has come and gone, leaving its icy mark on much of the United States and many of us wondering if spring will ever arrive. Alas, there's still more than a month of winter left, and, depending on where you live, the dispiriting likelihood of sub-freezing days stretching well into March (or beyond for northern folk). But just because your city streets are covered in slush and you have to don a few extra layers beneath your parka, doesn't mean you have to wait 'til spring for that first hike of the year. Getting outside during the winter has its own rewards, among them crowd-free trails, fewer insects and scenery you can only see when the weather's right. Whether the novel sight of desert mesas dusted with fresh powder or a waterfall frozen into columns of pale blue ice or simply the peaceful sight of fields blanketed in untracked snow, the charms of winter are worth the effort. Not that you'll need crampons and an ice axe to enjoy any of these 13 easy day hikes. Sure, you'll have to prepare for the weather, maybe even add snow chains to your tires for the trip to the trailhead, but these trails and hiking areas were chosen for their high ratio of scenic value to difficulty. Any reasonably fit person can tackle these in a day. There are a couple modest summit climbs and at least two sections of the Appalachian Trail (depending on how you slice it). A couple trails can be as flat as you want them to be. None are more than moderately strenuous, and all showcase the best of the season. They may even make you wish winter would last just a bit longer. Well, maybe not longer. But once you breathe the fresh air on one of these hikes, you might not mind the wait for spring so much. White Clay Creek, Delaware and Pennsylvania
Less than an hour's drive from Philly and only half an hour from Wilmington, Del., White Clay Creek State Park and Preserve is a rustic respite from city. Carl Ewald, founder of Philadelphia-based TerraMar Adventures, recommends the Penndel trail, a converted rail trail along the creek that begins on the Pennsylvania side. "There are other trails in the park," he said, "but, this is the prettiest." This graded out-and-back affords wooded views of the frozen creek and has mile markers so hikers can choose when to turn around. "If hikers are up to longer hikes, at just over 3 miles you will cross over the border into Delaware," said Ewald. "There is a nice loop extension in Delaware. Continuing straight along the trail will take you through alternating woods, meadows and farm fields until you reach the visitors center. You can return along a trail that follows the bank of the river back to the Pennsylvania border." On your drive back to Philly he recommends stopping by Vala Vineyards, "a little winery that has a great tasting with cheese in a beautiful setting." Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs Pike's Peak looms over vertical red rock spires in Garden of the Gods Park, on the western edge of Colorado Springs. With names like "Kissing Camels" and "Three Graces," these natural snow-dusted formations make a peaceful backdrop for 15 miles of trails. One great choice, the Chambers-Bretag-Palmer loop, is a 3-mile trail encircling the entire park with rolling, rocky terrain and less than a 250-foot climb. A.T. 'Velvet Rocks' Section, Hanover, N.H. Hiking the Appalachian Trail is typically a summer activity, but this small stretch that begins at the Vermont-New Hampshire border is an easy winter hike through snowblanketed fields, hardwood forest, and up a rocky granite ridge with views of the town below. Speaking of the town, this section hike actually begins in downtown Hanover, home of Dartmouth College and the Dartmouth Outing Club, which maintains more than 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the region. Snowshoes may be necessary on this 5.2-mile out-and-back, and trekking poles are a must. Kincaid Beach Trail, Anchorage Just over a mile south of Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage is Kincaid Beach, a secluded sandy beach on Cook Inlet with views of Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range, says Erin Kirkland, publisher of family travel guideAKontheGO.com.
"[It's] great on a clear afternoon," she said. Technically a spring hike -- "which are still considered winter hikes in the Lower 48" -- you get there via a mile-long access trail through the hilly old-growth forest of Kincaid Park, where you're likely to encounter moose and the occasional bear. Once on the beach, if you're in the mood for a longer walk, you can stroll along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a multi-use path that follows the shore for 11 miles into downtown Anchorage. Robert Frost Trail, Mount Holyoke Range S.P., Mass. The southernmost section of this 47-mile trail, named for the poet, passes through the Mount Holyoke Range, a rare east-west ridge in central Massachusetts with ravines, caves, valleys, deep woods and 360-degree views -- all, potentially, on the same hike. Hikers leaving from the Notch Visitors Center can take any number of loop and out-andback options of varying difficulty since the trail intersects the longer, more difficult Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in several places. Brockway Summit, North Lake Tahoe Whether you live in the area or are visiting one of Tahoe's several ski resorts, this small section of the Tahoe Rim Trail just off of Highway 267 near Truckee, Calif., is a great way to take in views of the entire lake. A healthy climb (about 800 feet), this up-andback sometimes requires snowshoes and takes about an hour for those acclimated to the mountain air, or two hours for "flat-landers," says Andy Chapman, spokesman for the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative. "Once at the top, I prefer to pack some snacks and sit to enjoy the sweeping views of the Pacific Crest -- you can see all of Lake Tahoe from Squaw Valley to Heavenly in South Shore, Mount Tallac, Crystal Bay and beyond," he said. "It's gorgeous, easy to access and a relatively quick trip." For a more leisurely hike with less climbing, he suggests Tahoe Meadows off of Highway 431 on the Nevada side. Kanawha State Forest, Charleston, W.V. Only seven miles from West Virginia's capital is a 9,300-acre spread of Appalachian forest crisscrossed with 25 miles of marked hiking trails of varying difficulty. Not only is the forest's varied terrain less crowded in the winter, hikers are less likely to encounter the mountain bikers who flock there in the summer.
Palo Duro Canyon, Amarillo, Texas Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of Texas," this huge red-rock canyon outside of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle has similar scenery to the actual Grand Canyon, if not quite at the same scale. (It's sometimes called the second-largest canyon in America.) Palo Duro State Park has approximately 30 miles of trails, the most iconic of which is the 6mile round-trip Lighthouse Trail, taking hikers to the base of a 300-foot rock formation resembling a lighthouse. Go when the weather's right for views of the frosted desert as far as the eye can see. Hocking Hills, Ohio Ohio isn't normally thought of as hill country, but the sparsely populated Appalachian foothills creep well into the southern and eastern parts of the state. Only an hour south of Columbus are the Hocking Hills, an especially rugged section marked by cliffs, gorges, caves and waterfalls. This popular outdoor recreation area has fewer visitors in the winter, but the state park system there has over 25 miles of marked trails that are open year-round, and the scenery -- from frozen waterfalls to huge sandstone caves to the deep, narrow gorge of Conkle's Hollow -- make it a rewarding place to hike even in cold weather. Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming This scenic spur of the Rockies rises from the Great Plains all the way past 13,000 feet, but inside the one million-plus acres of Bighorn National Forest are 1,500 miles of trails, many of which you don't have to be a mountaineer to enjoy in the winter. A short drive from the town of Sheridan, Wyo., are two popular options among cross-country skiers and snowshoers: the Sibley Lake Ski Trails have 15 groomed miles in the 8000-foot range, and the Cutler Hill Trail adds three additional miles for those with dogs. Delaware Water Gap, N.J. and Pennsylvania New Yorkers and Philadelphians looking to escape the brown slush for some more refreshing winter scenery can head to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, one of the most popular units of the National Park System. Frozen waterfalls, views of the iced-over Delaware River and a snowy section of the Appalachian Trail are some of the wintertime attractions here. One short loop, suggested by the Appalachian
Mountain Club, is the 4.5-mile Coppermine Trail, which begins at the Mohican Outdoor Center in Blairstown, N.J. The trail winds down to the river and back, passing by a waterfall and an abandoned mine along the way. Franklin Falls, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie N.F., Wash. Three seasons of the year this is one of many great waterfall hikes in the Pacific Northwest, but during winter cold snaps, this short out-and-back an hour from Seattle is a rare treat. The falls freeze over, creating what one recent hiker, writing on the website of the Washington Trails Association, called "a grandiose ice pipe organ." Only a twomile round trip with 400 feet of elevation gain, this trek through old-growth forest along the South Fork Snoqualmie River is easy, but may require ice cleats and trekking poles for the final short climb to the base of the falls. Roan Mountain, N.C. and Tennessee In the winter, those same clouds that make the Great Smoky Mountains "smoky" can become supercooled, causing droplets to freeze into crystalline layers of ice encasing the trees and vegetation -- a phenomenon called "rime ice." One of the best places to see the spectacular result, along with wind-sculpted snow formations, is on Roan Mountain on one of the highest sections of the Appalachian Trail. Mark File, publisher of area travel guide RomanticAsheville.com, says, "Roan Mountain is certainly my favorite winter hike since you are hiking along a ridge across several bald summits with endless views on both sides." He recommends beginning your hike at Carver's Gap on the N.C.Tennessee line and making the easy climb (about 300 feet) to Round Bald, topping out at over 5,800 feet. Come back in the summer to see the world's largest natural rhododendron garden. Â
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Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA was featured in:
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Easy winter hikes: Scenic trails across the USA Feb. 25, 2014
Another storm has come and gone, leaving its icy mark on much of the United States and many of us wondering if spring will ever arrive. Alas, there's still more than a month of winter left, and, depending on where you live, the dispiriting likelihood of sub-freezing days stretching well into March (or beyond for northern folk). But just because your city streets are covered in slush and you have to don a few extra layers beneath your parka, doesn't mean you have to wait 'til spring for that first hike of the year. Getting outside during the winter has its own rewards, among them crowd-free trails, fewer insects and scenery you can only see when the weather's right. Whether the novel sight of desert mesas dusted with fresh powder or a waterfall frozen into columns of pale blue ice or simply the peaceful sight of fields blanketed in untracked snow, the charms of winter are worth the effort. Not that you'll need crampons and an ice axe to enjoy any of these 13 easy day hikes. Sure, you'll have to prepare for the weather, maybe even add snow chains to your tires for the trip to the trailhead, but these trails and hiking areas were chosen for their high ratio of scenic value to difficulty. Any reasonably fit person can tackle these in a day. There are a couple modest summit climbs and at least two sections of the Appalachian Trail (depending on how you slice it). A couple trails can be as flat as you want them to be. None are more than moderately strenuous, and all showcase the best of the season. They may even make you wish winter would last just a bit longer. Well, maybe not longer. But once you breathe the fresh air on one of these hikes, you might not mind the wait for spring so much. White Clay Creek, Delaware and Pennsylvania
Less than an hour's drive from Philly and only half an hour from Wilmington, Del., White Clay Creek State Park and Preserve is a rustic respite from city. Carl Ewald, founder of Philadelphia-based TerraMar Adventures, recommends the Penndel trail, a converted rail trail along the creek that begins on the Pennsylvania side. "There are other trails in the park," he said, "but, this is the prettiest." This graded out-and-back affords wooded views of the frozen creek and has mile markers so hikers can choose when to turn around. "If hikers are up to longer hikes, at just over 3 miles you will cross over the border into Delaware," said Ewald. "There is a nice loop extension in Delaware. Continuing straight along the trail will take you through alternating woods, meadows and farm fields until you reach the visitors center. You can return along a trail that follows the bank of the river back to the Pennsylvania border." On your drive back to Philly he recommends stopping by Vala Vineyards, "a little winery that has a great tasting with cheese in a beautiful setting." Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs Pike's Peak looms over vertical red rock spires in Garden of the Gods Park, on the western edge of Colorado Springs. With names like "Kissing Camels" and "Three Graces," these natural snow-dusted formations make a peaceful backdrop for 15 miles of trails. One great choice, the Chambers-Bretag-Palmer loop, is a 3-mile trail encircling the entire park with rolling, rocky terrain and less than a 250-foot climb. A.T. 'Velvet Rocks' Section, Hanover, N.H. Hiking the Appalachian Trail is typically a summer activity, but this small stretch that begins at the Vermont-New Hampshire border is an easy winter hike through snowblanketed fields, hardwood forest, and up a rocky granite ridge with views of the town below. Speaking of the town, this section hike actually begins in downtown Hanover, home of Dartmouth College and the Dartmouth Outing Club, which maintains more than 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the region. Snowshoes may be necessary on this 5.2-mile out-and-back, and trekking poles are a must. Kincaid Beach Trail, Anchorage Just over a mile south of Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage is Kincaid Beach, a secluded sandy beach on Cook Inlet with views of Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range, says Erin Kirkland, publisher of family travel guideAKontheGO.com.
"[It's] great on a clear afternoon," she said. Technically a spring hike -- "which are still considered winter hikes in the Lower 48" -- you get there via a mile-long access trail through the hilly old-growth forest of Kincaid Park, where you're likely to encounter moose and the occasional bear. Once on the beach, if you're in the mood for a longer walk, you can stroll along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a multi-use path that follows the shore for 11 miles into downtown Anchorage. Robert Frost Trail, Mount Holyoke Range S.P., Mass. The southernmost section of this 47-mile trail, named for the poet, passes through the Mount Holyoke Range, a rare east-west ridge in central Massachusetts with ravines, caves, valleys, deep woods and 360-degree views -- all, potentially, on the same hike. Hikers leaving from the Notch Visitors Center can take any number of loop and out-andback options of varying difficulty since the trail intersects the longer, more difficult Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in several places. Brockway Summit, North Lake Tahoe Whether you live in the area or are visiting one of Tahoe's several ski resorts, this small section of the Tahoe Rim Trail just off of Highway 267 near Truckee, Calif., is a great way to take in views of the entire lake. A healthy climb (about 800 feet), this up-andback sometimes requires snowshoes and takes about an hour for those acclimated to the mountain air, or two hours for "flat-landers," says Andy Chapman, spokesman for the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative. "Once at the top, I prefer to pack some snacks and sit to enjoy the sweeping views of the Pacific Crest -- you can see all of Lake Tahoe from Squaw Valley to Heavenly in South Shore, Mount Tallac, Crystal Bay and beyond," he said. "It's gorgeous, easy to access and a relatively quick trip." For a more leisurely hike with less climbing, he suggests Tahoe Meadows off of Highway 431 on the Nevada side. Kanawha State Forest, Charleston, W.V. Only seven miles from West Virginia's capital is a 9,300-acre spread of Appalachian forest crisscrossed with 25 miles of marked hiking trails of varying difficulty. Not only is the forest's varied terrain less crowded in the winter, hikers are less likely to encounter the mountain bikers who flock there in the summer.
Palo Duro Canyon, Amarillo, Texas Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of Texas," this huge red-rock canyon outside of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle has similar scenery to the actual Grand Canyon, if not quite at the same scale. (It's sometimes called the second-largest canyon in America.) Palo Duro State Park has approximately 30 miles of trails, the most iconic of which is the 6mile round-trip Lighthouse Trail, taking hikers to the base of a 300-foot rock formation resembling a lighthouse. Go when the weather's right for views of the frosted desert as far as the eye can see. Hocking Hills, Ohio Ohio isn't normally thought of as hill country, but the sparsely populated Appalachian foothills creep well into the southern and eastern parts of the state. Only an hour south of Columbus are the Hocking Hills, an especially rugged section marked by cliffs, gorges, caves and waterfalls. This popular outdoor recreation area has fewer visitors in the winter, but the state park system there has over 25 miles of marked trails that are open year-round, and the scenery -- from frozen waterfalls to huge sandstone caves to the deep, narrow gorge of Conkle's Hollow -- make it a rewarding place to hike even in cold weather. Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming This scenic spur of the Rockies rises from the Great Plains all the way past 13,000 feet, but inside the one million-plus acres of Bighorn National Forest are 1,500 miles of trails, many of which you don't have to be a mountaineer to enjoy in the winter. A short drive from the town of Sheridan, Wyo., are two popular options among cross-country skiers and snowshoers: the Sibley Lake Ski Trails have 15 groomed miles in the 8000-foot range, and the Cutler Hill Trail adds three additional miles for those with dogs. Delaware Water Gap, N.J. and Pennsylvania New Yorkers and Philadelphians looking to escape the brown slush for some more refreshing winter scenery can head to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, one of the most popular units of the National Park System. Frozen waterfalls, views of the iced-over Delaware River and a snowy section of the Appalachian Trail are some of the wintertime attractions here. One short loop, suggested by the Appalachian
Mountain Club, is the 4.5-mile Coppermine Trail, which begins at the Mohican Outdoor Center in Blairstown, N.J. The trail winds down to the river and back, passing by a waterfall and an abandoned mine along the way. Franklin Falls, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie N.F., Wash. Three seasons of the year this is one of many great waterfall hikes in the Pacific Northwest, but during winter cold snaps, this short out-and-back an hour from Seattle is a rare treat. The falls freeze over, creating what one recent hiker, writing on the website of the Washington Trails Association, called "a grandiose ice pipe organ." Only a twomile round trip with 400 feet of elevation gain, this trek through old-growth forest along the South Fork Snoqualmie River is easy, but may require ice cleats and trekking poles for the final short climb to the base of the falls. Roan Mountain, N.C. and Tennessee In the winter, those same clouds that make the Great Smoky Mountains "smoky" can become supercooled, causing droplets to freeze into crystalline layers of ice encasing the trees and vegetation -- a phenomenon called "rime ice." One of the best places to see the spectacular result, along with wind-sculpted snow formations, is on Roan Mountain on one of the highest sections of the Appalachian Trail. Mark File, publisher of area travel guide RomanticAsheville.com, says, "Roan Mountain is certainly my favorite winter hike since you are hiking along a ridge across several bald summits with endless views on both sides." He recommends beginning your hike at Carver's Gap on the N.C.Tennessee line and making the easy climb (about 300 feet) to Round Bald, topping out at over 5,800 feet. Come back in the summer to see the world's largest natural rhododendron garden. Â
Escapes: Lake Tahoe, Grass Valley and more Published: Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 - 12:00 am
LAKE TAHOE Parties in the snow Fireworks, parades, a snow sculpture contest and lots of parties. Sounds like SnowFest. The 33rd annual winter carnival opens Friday and concludes March 9. It celebrates life in the High Sierra with a jam-packed scheduled – 65 events in total. This year’s theme is “Bring Back the ’80s!” so pull out those neon track suits and matching Wayfarer sunglasses to get in the spirit. A fundraising kickoff party is 5-8 p.m. at Gar Woods Grill and Pier, North Lake Boulevard, Carnelian Bay; admission is $25. Favorite SnowFest events include a torchlight parade, uphill and downhill dash, dog pull race and polar bear swim, where brave souls dive into Lake Tahoe’s cold waters. Cost and location of activities vary. Visit www.tahoesnowfestival.comfor a full list of events and more information. GRASS VALLEY Animal film festival What: A variety of independent films, documentaries, shorts and experimental pieces will be screened at the first Animal Film Festival, presented by the Center for Animal Protection & Education. The festival, which organizers hope will be annual, will attempt to raise awareness about animal treatment and mistreatment through films about wildlife and pets, as well as animals in entertainment, farming and laboratory environments. When: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday Where: The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main St., Grass Valley Cost: $5-$20
Information: www.animalfilmfestival.org GLEN ELLEN Nature walk What: Explore the Bouverie Preserve’s mixed evergreen forest and flower-studded woodland on a guided, half-day walk. The nature sanctuary covers 535 acres and is home to more than 130 species of birds. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and while there is no charge, donations can be made to support the programs at Audubon Canyon Ranch. When: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Bouverie Preserve, 13935 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen Cost: Free Information: www.egret.org; (415) 868-9244 VALLEJO Raptor migration What: Bring binoculars and prepare to spot birds of prey on a hike led by Larry Broderick, who has spent 25 years studying, rescuing and rehabilitating raptors and is eager to share his knowledge. All ages are welcome on this four-mile trek. When: 10 a.m. next Sunday Where: Lynch Canyon, 3100 Lynch Road, Vallejo Cost: Free Information: www.solanolandtrust.org GRANITE BAY Travel presentation
What: Future travelers to Italy can gain valuable knowledge from Dick Mercer and Lori Martin –the owners of Experience Italy have been to the country more than 80 times. They’ll share valuable tips during their presentation “Italy on Your Own.” When: 7-8:30 p.m. March 11 Where: Quarry Ponds Meeting Room, 5550 Douglas Blvd., Suite 160, Granite Bay Cost: $10 Information: www.experienceitaly.com – Bee staff
MANY LAKE TAHOE SKI RESORTS OPENING NEW TERRAIN FOR PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND 2/18/2014 Thanks to last week’s sizable snow storm, Lake Tahoe ski resorts are running more lifts and opening more terrain for skiing and snowboarding. It comes at a good time as well, since this is Presidents’ Day weekend and the Lake Tahoe ski resorts are hoping for a huge turnout of excited skiers and riders who have been waiting for conditions to improve. Well, guess what – they’ve improved. Some Lake Tahoe ski resorts received more than 5 feet of new snow from last week’s storm. And more snow could arrive this weekend. Here’s what’s new lately from several Lake Tahoe ski resorts: Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows: Thanks to 5½ feet of new snow that the two Truckee resorts received, both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are opening new terrain, including some of the most coveted terrain on the mountains. Squaw Valley opened the Siberia chairlift and Solitude chairlift for the first time this season on Tuesday, and Granite Chief one day later. On Saturday, both KT-22 and Headwall Express are expected to be open. Alpine Meadows opened the Scott chair for the first time this season on Wednesday and Lake View opens today. The two resorts will have over 90 percent of their terrain open for Presidents’ Day weekend.. By Saturday, the resorts will be running a total of 32 lifts, including 20 lifts and over 60 runs at Squaw Valley, and 12 lifts and over 45 runs at Alpine Meadows. Both resorts are also ramping up their terrain park offerings. Squaw Valley is slated to offer 27 features, including seven small to medium jumps in Gold Coast Park.
Alpine Meadows is planning to have 16 terrain park features, including three small jumps in Tiegel Park by Saturday. Homewood Resort: The resort of Highway 89 in North Lake Tahoe opened its entire mountain Thursday after the recent storm added 5 feet of fresh snow. Notable additions include the Ellis chairlift, which provides access to Homewood’s legendary gladed tree runs off Hidden Vein and in Hobbit Land. To completely open, Homewood will unveil Kolby’s Escape slopestyle and boarder-cross courses for terrain park riders. Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood: All three Vail Resorts have ramped up their offerings for the holiday weekend. Kirkwood has opened 100 percent of its mountain for the first time this season. Newlyopened signature runs – such as Wagon Wheel Bowl, Palisades – are waiting to greet skiers and riders. Heavenly anticipates opening some of its most popular terrain, including Mott Canyon and Galaxy. The south shore ski resort has opened more trails, including Milky Way Bowl, Pinnacles, and Ski Ways. Northstar expects to open 100 percent of its coveted Backside trails. Other trails opening include Challenger, Rail Splitter, and Sierra Grande. Sugar Bowl: The resort is spinning its brand-new $3 million Crow’s Peak chairlift for the first time today. The lift will offer nearly 1,000 vertical feet of new fall-line skiing down to the edge of Van Norden Meadow. Throughout the holiday weekend, Sugar Bowl will be operating 10 lifts, providing access to over 70 runs on the resort four peaks. Mt. Rose: Located off Mt. Rose Highway, the resort has opened significant additional terrain, including many of the much anticipated Chute gates for the first time all season. The Chutes are some of the longest continuous vertical runs in North America with pitches between 40 and 55 degrees. Open gates at Mt. Rose will include Beehive, Hornet’s Nest, Nightmare and Miller time. Diamond Peak: The resort in Incline Village on Lake Tahoe’s north shore, received 58 inches of snow from the storm and is now 100 percent open with the 58 inches. Diamond Peak has 31 trails to ski, some new terrain features to hit, and as always, its beautiful views of Lake Tahoe.
Boreal Mountain, Soda Springs: Both resorts, which are located off Interstate 80, are reporting plenty of new snow and are 100 percent open. Sierra-at-Tahoe: Located off Highway 50, Sierra-at-Tahoe will open the backside of the mountain and will be 100 percent open. Sierra is also working on opening its new terrain park, which could be available by Sunday.
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February 18, 2014
North Lake Tahoe and Truckee community announcements TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif.— Content for briefs is selected from e-mail submissions to Community Editor Amy Edgett at aedgett@sierrasun.com. Science tutor needed The Read Up Literacy Project, based at the Truckee Library, seeks a science tutor to help a student who must work to support her family and study for the 2014 G.E.D. science portion exam. The G.E.D. may be taken in lieu of the high school diploma. Read Up is the free tutoring service of the Nevada County Library. Books and five-hour training are provided free to volunteer tutors, with a new manual: “Total Solutions for the G.E.D. Test 2014,” with practice problems, answers and explanations. Science concepts include life science, physical science, and earth and space science. You must be at least 18 years of age or older. Contact Rolann Aronson at 530-575-7030 for information. Tahoe Truckee Flyfishers to meet Tahoe-Truckee Fly Fishers is honored to have fly fishing guide Mike Curtis make a presentation to the angling group’s Thursday, Feb. 20 meeting. The talk will enlighten all attendees to nuances, techniques and advice on how to successfully fly fish the Truckee River in Nevada; whether fly angling while wading or drift-fishing. A bonus will be his hints and thoughts for fly fishing for carp. The meeting will be at the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park’s Community Recreation Center at 6 p.m. New members welcome! For more information visit www.ttff.net. ‘Trompe l’oeil’ artist to speak Internationally renowned artist and Truckee resident John Pugh will discuss his work and the art of “trompe l’oeil” (trick of the eye) at Coffeebar, 10120 Jibboom St. in Truckee Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. There is no charge. Pugh is a trompe l’oeil artist focusing on public art, whose “language” of life-size illusions allow him to communicate with a large audience. His murals grace architecture world-wide, and are currently on display at Coffeebar. See for yourself what’s real and what’s not — be careful if it looks hot. Visit artofjohnpugh.com.
‘Come in Out of the Cold’ Everyone is invited to “Come in Out of the Cold” on Thursdays, 5-7 p.m. at the North Tahoe Event Center, 8318 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach. Join community members for hot soup and sandwiches, and play classic board games with family and friends. Brought to you by Meera Beser, United for Action and Tahoe Neighborhood Table. Admission is a nonperishable food item for Project MANA, but no one will be turned away. Take your Scrabble sets, cribbage, checkers, Parcheesi or favorite game. Games for children will be available — no alcohol please. Call Meera 775-230-1066 to donate, volunteer or ask questions. Rodeo to meet Truckee Professional Rodeo meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m. at the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. The rodeo is in need of volunteers to help with various tasks and head committees. New sponsor packages are also available, for information email truckeerodeo@sbcglobal.net or visit www.truckeerodeo.org. Watercolor classes with Eva S. Nichols Award-winning local artist Eva S. Nichols will teach Wednesday evening watercolor classes at T Pots Pottery, with lighting and space to explore your creativity. Watercolor Fun with Eva – Tahoe Winter Landscape, Feb. 26; Tahoe Trees, March 12; Spring Flowers, March 26. Classes are held 6-8 p.m. at T Pots Pottery, 11012 Donner Pass Road, Truckee. Call 530550-7822 to sign up. SnowFest! kick off party Kick off SnowFest! at Gar Woods Grill & Pier, Feb. 27, 5-8 p.m., with live music by Groove Foundry, auction, beads and SnowFest! pocket calendars. The cost is $25 and you will enjoy heavy appetizers, beer, wine, Wet Woodies, generously provided by Gar Woods, and 80s photos by The Traveling Photo Booth. Visit www.tahoesnowfestival.com. Boys & Girls Club to celebrate anniversary The Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe is turning 15! Help celebrate Friday, Feb. 28 at their Quinceañera. All community members are welcome for authentic food made by Club Chef Wilcox, family friendly games and crafts, dancing and cake from 5 to 7 p.m. Call 530546-4324 or visit http://bgcnlt.org for information. Senior pancake breakfast The Monthly Pancake Breakfast fundraiser to benefit the Senior Meals program and the Meals on Wheels will be held on March 2, 8-11:30 a.m. in the dining room of the Truckee
Donner Senior Apartments at 10040 Estates Drive in Truckee. The sponsor is the Truckee Sunrise Rotary. Open to everyone! Adults $7, children $3. Arrive early. Â
Squaw Valley Hosts the Lake Tahoe Wedding Faire on Saturday, February 1- 2/18/2014
North Lake Tahoe offers some of the most stunning wedding venues in the country and at the Wedding Faire, future brides can meet and mingle with local business owners who can provide everything brides need to create the wedding of their dreams. The event will host a wide range of bakeries, florists, musicians, photo booths, photographers, venues, event coordinators and wedding rentals. “We wanted to host this Wedding Faire to make it as easy as possible for brides to see all of what Squaw Valley and North Lake Tahoe have to offer,” said Jessica Greenleaf, Squaw Valley’s wedding and banquet sales manager. “I really believe there is no better place for a wedding.” This event will feature interactive bridal activities and will offer brides a chance to meet vendors face to face and secure their services for their weddings. In addition to a great list of vendors, the WeddingFaire will feature a raffle with some great prizes. Interested brides-to-be can register for the event online at www.squaw.com. Admission to the event is free and includes champagne. The first one-hundred people to register will be entered to win a special selection of elite raffle prizes. North Lake Tahoe For more information about North Lake Tahoe, visitwww.gotahoenorth.com. And for the best bargains, including lodging, check out the “Cool Deals” tab, which is updated daily. North LakeTahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village.
Squaw Valley Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley is a year-round mountain destination offering world-class adventures in every season. Squaw is renowned for its legendary skiing and riding that spans 3,600 skiable acres, six peaks and 30 chairlifts including a unique mountaintop beginner area and unrivaled expert steeps, chutes and bowls. In summer, the resort welcomes a full line-up of live music and festivals and Squaw’s Aerial Tram offers a scenic ride up to a host of mountaintop activities. For the ultimate slopeside lodging experience, guests can stay in one of The Village at Squaw Valley’s one, two or three bedroom suites, each with a fireplace, kitchen and balcony. Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows joined forces in November 2011, bringing the two ski resorts under common ownership. Skiers and riders can access 6,000 skiable acres, 43 lifts and 270+ trails at Squaw and Alpine Meadows on one lift ticket or season pass. For more information about Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows, visit www.squaw.com orwww.skialpine.com or call 800-403-0206.
SUGAR BOWL SKI RESORT IN LAKE TAHOE OPENS NEW CROW’S PEAK LIFT TODAY 2/17/2014 When the ski season began in November, no one could have predicted that the new ski lift at Sugar Bowl ski resort in Lake Tahoe would remain dormant into February. But due to light snow this season, that’s been the case.
However, thanks to the recent snow, Sugar Bowl plans to operate its new Crow’s Peak chairlift for the first time ever today, opening up new lift-served glades, chutes and groomed runs on Crow’s Peak to skiers and snowboarders for President’s Day weekend. Sugar Bowl installed the $3-million chairlift last summer to expand the Donner Summit resort’s terrain, that will offer nearly 1,000 vertical feet of new fall-line skiing down to the edge of Van Norden Meadow. Sugar Bowl now offers a total of 1,650 acres of ski terrain across four mountain peaks. In addition to Crow’s Peak Chairlift, Sugar Bowl plans to open the Mt.Judah chairlift on today and the Summit chairlift on Saturday. The resort has scheduled 10 chairlifts for operation throughout the weekend, giving skiers and riders access to all of the resort’s four peaks. The resort has also re-opened the
ColdstreamTerrainPark with 15 features for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.
Royal Gorge Cross Country North America’s largest cross country resort, is also expanding groomed trails and operations, and has opened the BogusBasin and Point Mariah ski loops. The resort is operated by Sugar Bowl, and currently has 40 trails groomed and open. Lift tickets, rentals and lessons are available at Royal Gorge’s Summit Station Lodge.
Love Abounds in North Lake Tahoe, California With Lodging, Dining, Spa Specials, Events Around the Lake for Valentine’s Day 2/17/2014 North Lake Tahoe, California hotels, restaurants and attractions are preparing for Valentine’s weekend by offering couples an array of packages. Here’s a round-up of top Valentine’s Day events, specials and packages. Diamond Peak Couples who enjoy wine, skiing and Tahoe can soak up the views with Diamond Peak’s special Valentine’s Day Last Tracks event. Catch the last chairlift up to the mid-mountain Snowflake Lodge and enjoy wine and appetizer pairings by Francis Ford Coppola Winery. After enjoying views from the lake and sunset, guests will ski down the freshly groomed run. The event begins at 4:10 p.m., but Last Tracks tickets can be picked up at 2 p.m. to get some runs in before the event. Space is limited, so reserve your spot online today or contact Guest Services at (775) 832-1253. Cost: $34, includes lift ticket (valid 2-4 p.m.) and Last Tracks event. Homewood Mountain Resort Homewood Mountain Resort offers adventurous couples looking to get married on Valentine’s Day an unforgettable backdrop for their special day. Homewood’s “I do, with a view” wedding ceremonies will take place at mid-mountain, just below the resort’s iconic Big Blue View Bar – a location that provides for panoramic Lake Tahoe views unrivaled in the Tahoe basin. Three packages are available for couples that ski and/or snowboard and wish to take profess their love on the slopes. All guests attending must ski and ride to the ceremony site. All packages include on-mountain service provided by local Minister Christa Deane, a marriage license and certified license copy. Cost: Starts at $300. Granlibakken Enjoy a relaxing time with your valentine at Granlibakken’s Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Weekend. This package touts plenty of quality time and includes two nights of lodging,
complimentary hot breakfast each morning, an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, sauna, ski/sled/snow play hill, as well as the fireside Surf and Turf Valentine’s Three-Course Dinner for two. Cost: Starting at $325. Tahoe Cross Country The Tahoe Cross Country Yurt Dinner is a dining experience truly immersive of North Tahoe culture. Begin with a moonlit ski or snowshoe hike in the wooded Pine forests where hot mulled wine awaits next to roaring fires. The warm glow of a yurt will light the horizon where a threecourse dinner, catered by As You Wish is served. All money raised benefits the Winter Discovery Program. This magical evening is for adults only. Cost: $70 per person Northstar California For the competitors at heart, enjoy the Cupid’s Course Valentine’s Fun Race throughout Valentine’s weekend. Challenge your loved one to a head-to-head Valentine’s race and find out who gets bragging rights for the next year! Skiers and riders of all levels are welcome to participate in this fun race at our Epic Mix Race Venue. Cost: Donations, 50% of all donations are given to the Tahoe SAFE Alliance. Full Moon Snowshoe Tour Join Tahoe Adventure Company for a full moon guided snowshoe trek through the brisk mountain air of North Lake Tahoe’s forests. Throughout the journey, guides will discuss natural history and astronomy. Enjoy a stop mid-hike to enjoy the views, snacks and a warm beverage. As you travel by moonlight knowledgeable guides will discuss Natural History and Astronomy topics. Cost: $65 per person. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe The Rekindle Romance Package provides offers two guest a private and rejuvenating mountain retreat. Indulge in each other’s company with a couples massage in a romantically illuminated spa suite and enjoy an evening at a signature restaurant or breakfast in bed with a $100 resort credit during your stay. Have no worries about jumping out of bed early, a late check-out of 2 p.m. is offered on the day of departure. Cost: Starting at $399 USD per night. Hyatt Regency, Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino The 20,000 square foot Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency, Lake Tahoe offers Valentine’s Specials all month long for couples looking to relax and rejuvenate.
The “I Love Me” package includes a 50 minute Stillwater massage, a 25 minute Lushly scrub, Moroccan Oil™ Shampoo & Blowdry, a complimentary champagne toast and when you spend $50 or more on retail, you will receive a $25 retail gift card. Cost: $225 ($345 value). The “I Heart You” package includes a 75 minute couple’s escape massage, a 25 minute Moroccan Oil™ scalp massage and conditioning treatment, a complimentary champagne toast and when you spend $50 or more on retail, you will receive a $25 retail gift card. Cost: $425 ($625 value). Packages do not include 20% service charge or taxes where applicable. Resort at Squaw Creek The Resort at Squaw Creek’s “Light My Fire” package includes a guest room with a fireplace, a “Sparkles and Sweets” champagne amenity, spa turndown, room service breakfast for two and complimentary valet parking. This special offer is available year-round with rates beginning at $299 per night. Tahoe Donner Head out on the Valentine’s Day Snowshoe at Snowplay, a wintery outing with romantic sunset views. The tour traverses through open meadows to the Glacier Point overlook above Donner Lake. Enjoy a panoramic view of Mt. Rose to the east and Castle Peak to the west. Cost: $7.50 with your own snowshoes or $15 including snowshoe rental. Add something special to your snowshoe adventure with the full moon ski and snowshoe tour and dinner at the Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center February 14 from 5 – 8 p.m. The tour includes watching the moon rise from the trails, dinner and wine tasting. Cost: $45 adult, $30 for 12 and under. For more Valentine’s Day deals in North Lake Tahoe check out the “Cool Deals” tab on, www.gotahoenorth.com. For more information about North Lake Tahoe, visitwww.gotahoenorth.com. And for the best bargains, including lodging, check out the “Cool Deals” tab, which is updated daily. North LakeTahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village.
Best in snow: Which area resorts benefited the most from recent storms? By Paul McHugh Special to The Bee
Published: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014 - 6:31 pm
For skiers and snowboarders, the winter of our discontent is now something else. It may not achieve glory, but it’s way past acceptable. Two winter storms in early February – followed by a warm “Pineapple Express” bearing some rain – managed to fatten resort snowpacks while frosting trees and peaks. Such beauty seems only skin-deep if it shrinks under rain, as it did at Tahoe’s lake level. But uphill from base lodges, especially above the 7,500-foot rain-line, visitors will discover fresh snow groomed into slopes on ski runs already thickened by frequent snow-making. Mother Nature hasn’t yet served up the complete winter sundae, which would put powder on top of last weekend’s sticky base, and fully open double-diamond chutes for the brave, as well as halfpipes for the willing. However, that’s no reason to stop yourself from digging into your favorite fluff. Case in point: Mount Rose, on the Nevada side of Tahoe, has the region’s highest base elevation, of 8,260 feet, and likes to proclaim, “Altitude is everything.” But only two weeks ago, Rose had less than a third of its terrain open on the north side, with just four runs down from its summit. The resort had to focus on marketing lessons and beginner packages. Then recent storms awarded 4 feet of fresh snow, enabling Rose to open its east side Slide Bowl down to its spiffy new Winters Creek Lodge, as well as that side’s high-speed six-lift to the summit. Opening the double-diamond “Chutes” area by the weekend is under discussion. Meanwhile, Dodge Ridge in the mid-Sierra opens today with skiing on the upper mountain, Badger Pass in Yosemite finally opened last weekend, and Bear Valley is running three lifts rather than one, and has five beginner, six intermediate and two expert runs open. As of Tuesday, cross-country ski area Royal Gorge had 24 tracks open and groomed, with 35 kilometers available. Tahoe-Donner cross-country resort opened Wednesday.
Current weather predictions call for both more flurries and more showers, with a chance of high winds on passes and summits through Presidents Day weekend. “I tried to go out last Sunday for a run at Alpine Meadows,” said Tim Cussen, 33, customer service manager at Porter Sports in Truckee. “They just had one lift open during the storm, to mid-mountain. The groomed stuff was OK, but off-piste looked sticky and slow. Even so, the storm dropped exactly the base we were looking for, and it’s going to let us ski into April. Any new powder on top will make it just right.” On Tuesday, Alpine Meadows reported seven of 11 lifts running, with 18 intermediate runs open, 20 expert runs open (including Wolverine Bowl) and two beginner runs (13 runs are groomed). Its sister resort just over the ridge, Squaw Valley, had 15 of 29 lifts running, including Solitude and Shirley Lake Express on the upper mountain, with Siberia Express on standby. There are 33 trails open, 24 of them groomed. Most of Squaw’s open runs are on the resort’s moderate, north-facing slopes above High Camp, and on the lower mountain served by the Squaw Creek and Red Dog chairs. At this and other resorts, if you wish to locate runs in top condition – especially as the season progresses – look for these factors: high altitude, north slopes and shaded areas. Back in February’s first week, Northstar had 14 lifts running and 29 trails open, as well as three terrain parks with 74 features, including ramps, jumps and slopestyle rails and boxes, as seen at the Olympics. But by last weekend, the resort shot up to 68 open trails (40 of them groomed) including some of the most popular diamond runs on the backside of Mount Pluto. No halfpipes yet, however. That’s a big “tell,” by the way. It takes a giant heap of snow to open a halfpipe, so if you go online to find current conditions at any resort, check the pipe status first. Northstar is contemplating grooming a pipe, but its top chore was excavating terrain parks from its weekend accumulation of 50 fresh inches. “Needing to dig out your terrain is a great problem to have,” said Rachel Woods, communications manager at Northstar. “Our plan is do everything we can to conserve the snow, and make sure we can offer runs for weeks and weeks to come.” Homewood, a bit farther down on Tahoe’s west shore, is blessed with fabulous views and terrain that naturally gathers, shades and protects snow, particularly when powder storms sweep in from the west. The Madden and Old Homewood chairs have been operating, with Ellis and Quail chairs scheduled to join in today. The resort should be at or near 100 percent open this weekend, with much of it groomed. Homewood might be afflicted with aging
infrastructure, but a lawsuit over redevelopment was recently settled. So, in two years, new lifts, lodges and snow-making should help this place realize much more potential. Boreal at Donner Summit, has the advantages of decent elevation (7,200 to 7,700 feet) and a north face. At 380 ski-able/ride-able acres, it is compact enough to provide snow-making on 80 percent of its terrain. Consequently, the resort opens early (usually one of the first each season) and often (lots of floodlit night skiing). Boreal has six of seven lifts running (including the relatively new Cedar Ridge triple), and three of five terrain parks open, as well as its tubing runs, and is in the process of building a halfpipe. Its sister resort, Soda Springs at Norden, plans to reopen its Tube Town, Planet Kids area and all lifts today. Nearby Sugar Bowl, which boosted its pack from 16 to 30 inches to 34 to 63 inches over the past two weeks, had six of 13 lifts in operation Tuesday (including Mounts Judah and Lincoln, and the newly opened Disney) and 56 runs open (34 groomed) that wind through broad swaths of terrain. The snow guns still roar whenever temperatures are right. “We’re focused on consolidating depth and quality on the open runs,” said Peter Avedschmidt, the resort’s marketing and sales manager, “and getting more features open in terrain parks.” Diamond Peak, which introduced the Tahoe region to snow-making back in the ’60s, built a base with the fan guns that was slathered by the storms. Now there are 27 open runs, most of them groomed. It’s easier to say what was closed there Tuesday: just Solitude Canyon and Red Fox and Ridge lifts. Its most famed run, Crystal Ridge, was included by CNN Travel in a recent collection naming the “World’s Best 100 Ski Runs.” Heavenly, which has Tahoe’s most extensive snow-making, serving 73 percent of its 4,800 acres, is shutting the guns down – they’ve now got plenty. Heavenly has one more lift running than it did at the start of February – now 19 out of 30 – but last weekend nearly tripled the runs open on its 37-inch base, going from 22 runs to 65 (including Milky Way Bowl on the Nevada side and The Face in California). Heavenly’s great altitude (10,040-foot summit), north-facing slopes and many mid-mountain lifts (most above 8,000 feet) tend to ensure a wintery experience through spring. Kirkwood, with its rock-crested ridges lifting high into the sky above Highway 88, scraped an impressive 60 to 90 inches out of the clouds over the past week. It has six lifts running now, but plans to have 10 by the weekend. It also opened a terrain park. Check online to see how many runs will be opened and groomed; they were up to 21 on Tuesday.
Sierra-at-Tahoe had five lifts open to serve its 22- to 51-inch base, with 37 of 46 trails available (22 groomed) and one terrain park. It’s contemplating opening its backside runs this weekend. Attendance influences what the resorts do – particularly, how long they will remain open. A long-range weather report suggesting colder storms arriving from the North Pacific next week already bodes well. “Resorts will keep a close eye on conditions and customer traffic over Presidents (Day) weekend, and then they’ll fine-tune their operations,” said Bob Roberts, president and CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. “The two big choices will be, how early or late to shut down, and whether to use discount marketing to bolster their bottom line. If customer turnout is ho-hum, the tent will be folding sooner, rather than later. But a robust turnout, or a herculean set of storms, could mean a season that extends well past Easter.” • Read more articles by Paul McHugh
SnowFest brings '80s to North Lake Tahoe BY CHRISTINE DELSOL : FEBRUARY 13, 2014
From the kickoff party at Gar Woods Grill in Carnelian Bay to the Fine 'n Funky Fashion show at Hacienda del Lago in Tahoe City, North Lake Tahoe's 11-day SnowFest offers pretty much any kind of parade, race, party, contest or concert you might associate with winter, and a good number that you wouldn't (Wacky Winter Bowling, anyone?). The giant winter carnival, which began in 1981 to showcase the March snowpack that most visitors were missing, goes back to its roots this year with a "Bringing Back the '80s" theme. Vitals: Feb. 27-March 9. Various North Lake Tahoe locations; see website for event times and fees. (530) 583-7167, www.tahoesnowfestival.com Perilous Plunge into Humboldt Bay: Where else can you see hardy souls impersonating ice cream cones, Richard Simmons, the cast of the Wizard of Oz and various forms of vegetation hurl themselves into icy bay waters in the middle of winter? Old Town Eureka's Discovery Museum provides school field trips, camp scholarships and other programs thanks to the proceeds from their folly. Visitors can join them (hot tubs and bloody Marys provided afterward), sponsor them, or just watch the fun. Feb. 28-March 1. Beach party 6 p.m. Friday, parade and plunge 10 a.m. Saturday. Free. (707) 443-9694, www.discovery-museum.org Santa Cruz clams up: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk knows how to warm a winter's day: Professional chefs from all over the West Coast enter their best renditions of Boston and Manhattan varieties in a grab for prizes at the annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off and Festival, which also includes an individual category for non-pros. A "people's choice" prize will also be awarded, while the "most original team" prize has inspired scuba diver, mermaid and fairy costumes. Saturday , 10 a.m. Free admission; tasting kits $9. (831) 420-5273,
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SnowFest brings '80s to North Lake Tahoe was also feature in
The hills are alive: Snow falling on Sierra Posted on February 11, 2014 | By
Jules Older
Sweet the snow’s new fall, sunlit from heaven Like the first dewfall, on the first grass – with apologies to Eleanor Farjeon and Cat Stevens Yes, snow has fallen. Lots of it. Now, all you need is a reason to head to the mountains. Here are ten reasons; find your tune and go. 1. Save money, save lives I say a pressure drop, oh pressure Oh yeah, pressure gonna drop on you — Toots & the Maytals The Sierra Avalanche Center is giving Ski Days discounts at four Tahoe resorts: Kirkwood, Homewood, Mt. Rose and Alpine Meadows/Squaw Valley. Dates and rates: Kirkwood, March 4-6, $60. Homewood, March 9 through the end of the season, $35. Mt. Rose, March 10-16, $35. Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, April 6 [note, that’s APRIL 6] through the end of the season, $45. The catch? Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to the ski date. All proceeds from these tix benefit the nonprofit Sierra Avalanche Center, which provides essential backcountry avalanche condition forecasts. For details, www.sierraavalanchecenter.org. 2. Party with a purpose The nicest part of any melody Is when you’re dancing close to me — Stephen Weiss and Bernie Baum; sung by Teresa Brewer (with apologies to the National Brotherhood of Skiers for lifting their slogan) High Fives Non-Profit Foundation and CHARITYSMITH will present the Squaw Valley Prom on Saturday, February 22, at 8 p.m. at Squaw Valley’s Olympic House. Picture a thousand partygoers moving to the sounds of Andy Frasco and the UN as well as four big-time DJ acts. Tickets for the premier High Fives Foundation event of the season atwww.squawvalleyprom.com for $100 per couple and $200 single. Yes, you read that right. Only 1,000 tickets are available.
3. Here comes the snow Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here Here comes the sun – George Harrison Fifty years ago, the Beatles took America by storm, adding Beatlemania to our vocab. To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa welcomes Because: A Tribute to the Beatles for one night only – Saturday, March 1 at 8 p.m. in the Atlantis Grand Ballroom. Tickets are $15 at the Atlantis Gift Shop or 775.824.4467. Room and Show Packages are also available. 4. Hey, big spender Hey big spender! Spend a little time with me — Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields Wanna know what five-million bucks feels like? For under $120? Through February 28, that’s how much a suite at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, née Embassy Suites, costs, Sundays through Thursdays. The 5 mil? That’s how much the hotel spent on upgrades.www.tahoeresorthotel.com 5. Twofers at Mammoth Two for the price of one We’re the answer, if you feel blue, so call us and get Two for the price of one — Benny Andersson and Bjoern Ulvaeus To help visitors make the most of all its nice new snow, Mammoth is offering 2-for-1 Lift tickets. To redeem, you have to ‘like” Mammoth Mountain on Facebook (heavy editorial sigh from Slope Dope) and fill out the form in the link above. 6. Groove as you slide Seventy-six trombones caught the morning sun With a hundred and ten cornets right behind — Meredith Wilson On Saturday, Feb 15, Sierra Resort (a.k.a. Sierra-at-Tahoe) is presenting two live performances by the California Repercussions in the base area. Shake your booty comin’ down. The (very) big band plays at the base.
The California Repercussions (a.k.a. the Reapers) play rock-n-roll, pop, jazz, traditional band music. And they march… though maybe not through deep snow.
7. Biggies ski free You’ve gotta have Klout All you really need is Klout When the odds are sayin’ you’ll never win That’s when the grin should start You’ve gotta have Klout. — with apologies to Richard Adler and Jerry Ross Through February 14, Homewood, which at last has serious snow, is giving away lift tix to anyone with a higher Klout score than the resort. Details www.SkiHomewood.com/klout 8. Whistle while you wedel — with apologies to Walt Disney Sugar Bowl has opened its Mt Disney chairlift. Thank Ullr for all that new snow.
9. Be kind to your web-footed friends A duck may be somebody’s mother… As part of its Winter Festival, every Saturday through February 23, The Resort at Squaw Creek will… I think I’ll quote their press release: “Duck Races will take place Saturdays at 3 and 3:30 p.m. down the 250-foot waterfall. Ducks can be purchased at Sandy’s Pub. Cost is $5 for two ducks.” FoMoInfo www.squawcreek.com 10. The Bible tells me so And, with the aid of the late, great Pete Seeger, remember the Biblical injunction to ski every winter: There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn) Concession speech from the god of thunder At Waterloo Napoleon did surrender And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way Waterloo – Finally facing my Waterloo — Stig Anderson, Benny Andersson, Bjoern Ulvaeus…
I, Thor, god of thunder, lightning, storms and oak trees, do solemnly swear obeisance, homage and submission to my stepson, Ullr. This deference applies throughout the state of California, extends into the mountains of Nevada, and is to be expressly and profoundly incorporated into the writings of Jules Older, a mortal who also goes by the name Slope Dope. By my hammer, I swear this is true. — Thor
Jules Older is publisher/contributor to the ski book/ebook, SKIING THE EDGE
How to Après Ski: The North Lake Tahoe Guide Love the slopes but not sure what to do after? Local experts guide you NORTH LAKE TAHOE
How to Après Ski: The North Lake Tahoe Guide Love the slopes but not sure what to do after? Local experts guide you. By Alysia Gray Painter | Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 | Updated 3:37 PM PST
CHILL TIME: If you like to ski, or snowboard, or sail down icy skiddy slopes via innertube, what exactly do you call the hours following the time that you shake off the final flakes and pull off your two layers of damp thermals? Some might refer to it as chill time, or down time, or happy hour, or having-a-hot-toddy-next-tothe-fire-pit hour, or that special period of time in which a sore knee and/or ego is nursed in the hotel lobby (along with a brewski or two). However you say it, there's a term known the world over for the post-slope time period: après ski. "Après" means "after" -- oui oui -- and "ski"? You got that one. In short, the a.s. is a golden time of day and evening, lasting for a few minutes, a few hours, or long into the wee smalls (if you're keeping company with a particularly hearty group of late-nighters). But are you doing après ski right? The North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative (updated from the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association) has released a winky guide detailing how skilled après-skiers get the chillaxin' done in the way it needs to get done. Oh yes, there are tips, rules, suggestions, and bullet points, and no, it isn't all simply "don't stick throw your wet socks over the fireplace screen if a couple happens to be canoodling next to the fire screen in question." (That goes without saying, right?) Tips do include... HOW TO TAKE A SELFIE... on a chairlift. So important. How to not speak bro-speak. (Please. This takes years of relaxatude, to even approach the appropriate amount of easy-going-ness.) Dancing suggestions and hot tub tips are also taken into account, as are spots to sushi and find bespoke suds. And if you photo and hashtag your North Lake Tahoe after-the-slopes pursuits? You're entered to win a $25 giftcard from a bevy of companies (including Patagonia or the Sugar Bowl Resort). Nicely done, North Lake Tahoe. So much consideration is given to ski time that a little love should be paid to the hours one spends warming up and reliving the stories of the day. We'll raise a hot toddy to that.
Almost 300 trails open at North Lake Tahoe Resorts Storm brings impressive snowfall in time for Holiday Weekend Published on Feb 11, 2014 - 7:34:53 PM By: GoTahoeNorth.com North Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev. February 11, 2014 – North Lake Tahoe ski resorts report totals nearing six feet of powder after the four-day snow storm. The continuous snowfall finally let up Monday morning allowing for even more terrain expansions leading up to the Valentine's Day and President's Day Weekend. North Lake Tahoe, home to eight major downhill resorts, now offers 285 open trails to skiers and riders; a jump of over 120 trails from before the storm. The number of runs continue to increase as grooming efforts remain constant at each of the resorts. Weather reports indicate skiers and riders will enjoy partly cloudy days throughout the upcoming weekend which includes Valentine's Day and President's Day. Temperatures will remain around 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Conditions are expansive for beginners looking to learn with adequate time left in the season to progress to intermediate trails. Ample intermediate and advanced terrain is also available throughout the region, offering diverse options for skiers and riders. Below is a round-up of current conditions and expansions at resorts in the region: Mt. Rose- Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is reporting a storm total of 51" which allowed the Slide Bowl side of the mountain to open with many trails measuring 1440 vertical feet. This large part of the resort is full of intermediate and advanced trails. It also led to the opening of the Blazing Zephyr 6 chairlift. In total, the resort is offering five major lifts and 28 trails. Discounted tickets are available online through Mt. Rose ($5 less than at the window). Sugar Bowl Resort- With a storm total of 61"at Sugar Bowl Resort there are still plenty of fresh lines to explore. The storm allowed for the opening of the much anticipated Disney Express, bringing the total lift count to six, servicing the 56 open runs. The storm has essentially doubled the terrain that Sugar Bowl has for skiers and riders while improving conditions on the runs that had been open all season. Homewood Mountain Resort- At its summit, Homewood Mountain Resort is reporting a total of 63" of powder. New additions over the weekend and early week include the opening of the Ellis Chair and the addition of The Face, a popular black diamond run. The lakeside resort now offers skiers and riders 22 runs. Northstar California- Northstar California is reporting snow totals of 55" from the storm which has allowed for significant addition of trails on the 14 lifts that are currently spinning. Of the 68 trails open, 40 are groomed for skiers and riders. Squaw Valley- Receiving some of the highest amounts of snow from the storm, Squaw Valley is reporting 68" of new powder. Just in time to find the Olympic feeling, Squaw is
spinning 15 lifts, offering 33 runs, 24 of which are groomed for skiers and riders. Alpine Meadows- With a storm total slightly less than Squaw's, Alpine Meadows still boasts 63" of fresh snow at Upper Mountain. Alpine Meadows is consistently increasing its offers to skiers and boarders now offering 37 trails, 13 of which are groomed on eight lifts and spread across a multitude of terrain. Alpine Meadows has also been adding new jumps to Tiegel, a premiere terrain park. Diamond Peak- Another lake-view resort Diamond Peak is reporting storm totals of 55" which allowed the resort to offer 100 percent of the main trails over the weekend. The resort is currently reporting 30 runs are open and four out of the six lifts are spinning. Boreal Mountain- At Boreal Mountain on Donner Summit storm totals reached 60". The resort has added two lifts to its day skiing offerings, so skiers and riders can explore the terrain of the six lifts open throughout the day. The resort is offering two lifts for night skiing. The Shred jib park has over 25 jibs and jumps that have been newly rebuilt.
February 10, 2014
Storm hammers Lake Tahoe with several feet of wet snow TAHOE/TRUCKEE — Winter returned to the Sierra with a wet twist over the weekend, dumping several feet of snow in higher elevations and bringing plenty of rain at lake level. On Monday morning, Kirkwood Mountain Resort south of Lake Tahoe reported a whopping 82 inches of new snow at upper mountain (nearly 7 feet) from the storm that began Thursday throughout the greater Truckee/Tahoe region. On the North Shore, Squaw Valley reported a storm total of 68 inches on its upper mountain, while Sugar Bowl and Alpine Meadows both reported storm totals of 61 inches. “The new snow was just what we needed to really get winter going here at Squaw and Alpine,” said Mike Livak, executive vice president for Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, in a statement. “Thanks to the storm, we are now able to open new lifts so that our guests can truly experience the diverse terrain that these two mountains have to offer.” Here’s a look at some storm totals, according to Tahoe area ski resorts Monday morning*: Alpine Meadows: 61 inches of new snow at upper mountain. Squaw Valley: 68 inches of new snow at upper mountain. Heavenly: 34 inches of new snow at upper mountain. Homewood: 52 inches of new snow at upper mountain. Kirkwood: 82 inches of new snow at upper mountain. Northstar: 44 inches of new snow at upper mountain. Sugar Bowl: 61 inches of new snow at upper mountain. Diamond Peak: 48 inches of new snow at upper mountain.
According to the National Weather Service in Reno, as much as 2 to 3 feet of snow fell between 7,000 feet and 8,000 feet, while lake level areas received up to 6 inches — and plenty of rain. According to reports, the northeastern side of Lake Tahoe, near Incline Village and along Nevada 28, saw up to 3 inches of rain over the weekend, while Carson City received 2 inches near its western foothills. The weather caused an hours-long power outage for much of Incline and Kings Beach Saturday night into early Sunday, according to Liberty Utilities, due to a failure at the Brockway Substation that reportedly even had the casinos at north state line operating on generators. Skies should be clear for Presidents Day weekend, which typically is the last big holiday weekend for Tahoe resorts. Temperatures should be in the mid-50s by the weekend, according to NWS. The storm comes amid the current drought in California, declared recently after consecutive drier-than-average winters, and on the heels of 2013 being the driest ever in the Sierra, according to previous reports. In the Sierra Foothills, NWS reported more than 10 inches of rain had fallen at the Nevada County Air Park from Wednesday through Sunday, according to the Sun’s sister paper, The Union in Grass Valley, with 5.9 inches falling Saturday and Sunday. Still, while a welcome sight, several more storms need to soon line up behind the one that washed through the western county this weekend to even reach normal precipitation levels, let alone approach making up the drought deficit, said Stefanie Henry, a forecaster with the weather service in Sacramento. “Several more (storms) would have to bring us way above normal precipitation to bring us up to normal,” Henry said. “But this is the most significant rainfall event we’ve seen this season.” *Accumulation statistics are according to resorts’ online snow reports; some vary from 48hour totals vs. overall storm totals.
North Tahoe’s Latest Ski Campaign Will Either Insult or Amuse Silicon Valley - 2/10/2014
North Lake Tahoe’s latest ski campaign is a great example of content marketing that amuses readers and potential visitors while still succeeding at place branding.
— Samantha Shankman
Will Bay Area locals love or hate North Lake Tahoe‘s playful attempt at content marketing?
The tourism board released an e-book in early February targeting skiers in San Francisco, which is located a three-hour drive away from the area’s 12 major ski resorts. The Après Ski e-book is a guide to navigating North Tahoe’s after-ski social scene and was designed like a white paper as play off the documents that many employees read every day. The guide outlines what to wear, say, and drink and then goes one step further in targeting that advice to individual Silicon Valley cliches.
For example, it recommends that skiers whose tech company’s IPO made them a multi-millionaire “don’t rub it in” by sticking to Patagonia. And it tells skiers who “work for Google” to buy the round of drinks. “Don’t be the aloof rich tech guy from Palo Alto with a superiority complex. Buy some drinks. Make some friends. You can’t take that tech money into the afterlife,” the Après Ski guide reads. The e-book also offers selfie pro trips and links to Urban Dictionary when using terms like “gaper,” which apparently means ”a skier or snowboarder who is completely clueless.” The guide ties into a social campaign in which the tourism board shares images with the hashtag #apreshero. It encourage visitors to do the same.
The campaign, created in partnership with The Abbi Agency, was launched in early February when the resorts’ first big snow fall arrived.
Travelers have to “Like” the tourism board’s Facebook page and submit their
email in order to download the book. At least 100 e-books were downloaded within the first three days of the campaign
It Snowed in Tahoe—Finally Storm Brings Five Feet of New Snow to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows by: POWDER MAGAZINE published: FEBRUARY 10, 2014
For immediate release: [Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows, Calif.] February 10, 2014 – The storm that rolled through Lake Tahoe at the end of last week and through the weekend brought 68 inches or over five feet of snow to Squaw Valley and 63 inches to Alpine Meadows. The new snow has created a great base at both resorts and will allow both mountains to open new terrain this week. The Lake Tahoe resorts were open today with 15 lifts at Squaw Valley and 7 lifts at Alpine Meadows. New lifts slated to run this week for the first time this season include Solitude chairlift at Squaw Valley, and Scott chair and Lake View at Alpine Meadows. Siberia Express is also slated to reopen at Squaw Valley starting Tuesday. “The new snow was just what we needed to really get winter going here at Squaw and Alpine,” said Mike Livak, Executive Vice President for Squaw Valley Ski Holdings. “Thanks to the storm, we are now able to open new lifts so that our guests can truly experience the diverse terrain that these two mountains have to offer.” About Squaw Valley Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley is internationally renowned for legendary terrain that spans 3,600 skiable acres, six peaks and 29 chairlifts, and ranges from an expansive mountaintop beginner area to unrivaled expert steeps, trees and bowls. Off the mountain, families relax in The Village at Squaw Valley around the cozy fire pits or enjoy a host of restaurants, bars, boutiques and art galleries. Guests can stay in one of The Village at Squaw Valley’s newly upgraded suites, each with a fireplace, kitchen and balcony, for the ultimate slopeside lodging experience. www.squaw.com About Alpine Meadows Alpine Meadows’ seven powder bowls, summit-to-base groomed slopes, and authentic hospitality are among the many attributes that have made the resort a favorite of the local community and visitors alike. Alpine Meadows offers skiers and riders access to more than 100 trails across 2,400 skiable acres serviced by 13 lifts. With its high annual snowfall of 450 inches, the resort boasts one of Tahoe’s longest skiing and boarding seasons. www.skialpine.com
Lake Tahoe Snow Report for Feb. 9: 4 feet of snow in Lake Tahoe from storm February 9, 2014 It has snowed more than 4 feet in some areas of Lake Tahoe and more snow is in today’s forecast. Here is the Lake Tahoe Snow Report for Sunday, Feb. 9. National Weather Service report There is a 100 percent chance of snow today in the Lake Tahoe region, followed by 40 percent on Monday and ranging from 10-30 percent chance through Sunday. Today: Snow and rain. Snow level fluctuating between lake level and 7000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 4 inches at lake level…with 6 to 12 inches above 7000 feet. Highs 36 to 41. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 40 mph. Ridge gusts up to 70 mph. Tonight: Snow and rain. Snow level fluctuating between lake level and 7000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 4 inches…with 4 to 10 inches above 7000 feet. Lows 22 to 27. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge gusts up to 65 mph in the evening. Monday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow and rain. Snow level 6500 feet. Highs 41 to 46. Southwest winds around 10 mph in the morning becoming light. Monday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows 16 to 21. Light winds. Lake Tahoe Snow Report for February 9 ALPINE MEADOWS New Snow: 18-30" Snow depth: 33-60" Location: Highway 89, six miles west of Tahoe City
Website: www.skialpine.com BOREAL New Snow: 30" Snow depth: 36-56" Location: Interstate 80 at Donner Summit Website: www.rideboreal.com DIAMOND PEAK New Snow: 40" Snow depth: 36-48" Location: Highway 431, Incline Village Website: www.diamondpeak.com DONNER SKI RANCH New Snow: not reported Snow depth: not reported Location: Old Highway 40, Donner Summit Website: www.donnerskiranch.com GRANLIBAKKEN RESORT New Snow: 2-4" Base snow depth: 14" Location: Highway 89 near Homewood Website: www.granlibakken.com HEAVENLY New Snow: 16" Base snow depth: 37-98" Location: Ski Run Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe Website: www.skiheavenly.com HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT New Snow: 13-31" Snow depth: 29-39" Location: Highway 89, six miles south of Tahoe City Website: www.skihomewood.com KIRKWOOD New Snow: 16-22" Snow depth: 46-63" Location: Highway 88 in Kirkwood Website: www.kirkwood.com
MT. ROSE New Snow: 12-18" Snow depth: 20-42" Location: Mt. Rose Highway in Reno Website: www.skirose.com NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA New Snow: 2-32" Snow depth: 20-43 Location: Highway 267 near Truckee Website: www.NorthstarCalifornia.com SIERRA-AT-TAHOE New Snow: 27-32" Snow depth: 22-43 Location: Highway 50, 12 miles west of South Lake Tahoe Website: www.sierraattahoe.com SODA SPRINGS New Snow: 20" Snow depth: 30" Location: Location: Interstate 80, Soda Springs exit Website: www.skisodasprings.com SQUAW VALLEY New Snow: 1-38" Snow depth: 70" Location: Highway 89, six miles from Tahoe City Website: www.squaw.com SUGAR BOWL New Snow: 13-27" Snow depth: TBA Location: Interstate 80, Norden exit Website: www.sugarbowl.com TAHOE DONNER New Snow: 8" Snow depth: 12-14" Location: Donner State Park exit off Interstate 80, Northwoods Boulevard Website: www.skitahoedonner.com
EXPLORE CALIFORNIA SNOW COUNTRY – 2/7/2014 Where to ski, snowshoe, and play in California’s winter wonderlands From perfect slopes and inviting après-ski settings, to quiet wilderness dressed in winter white, there are plenty of ways to play in alpine splendor in the Golden State. Peruse these wintry destinations, then grab the snow gear and go. LAKE TAHOE REGION: SNOWPLAY FOR ALL One of California’s best-known winter destinations is gemlike Lake Tahoe, a perfectly blue circle nestled by snowy peaks. Mountain towns, top resorts, and pristine wilderness ring the lake, providing just about every kind of experience you could want in winter. Celebrated ski destinations include Squaw Valley , home to the 1960 Winter Olympics and still a top draw for elite skiers. With lux mid-mountain complexes complete with outdoor hot tubs, and impressive KT-22 and other celebrated peaks laced with trails, Squaw justly deserves its world-class creds. It also features a lively base village with high-end boutiques, fine dining at Plumpjack and other eateries, and lodging ranging from elegant suites to family friendly condos. On the lake’s southeast side is Heavenly , known for a huge variety of runs and some of the region’s most spectacular views. Even non-skiers can take in the breathtaking scenery with a ride on the resort’s gondola—they can also mingle with the après-skiers at Tamarack Lodge , with artisan pizzas, a full bar, and an end-of-day dance party (yes, in ski boots) known as “Unbuckle at Tamarack .” Your kids want to shred like snowboarder champ Shaun White ; you’d rather swoosh gracefully, and perhaps après with some wine tasting. Well then, Northstar California is calling. The Olympic gold medalist’s home mountain offers maximum mountain time with high-speed lifts, expert grooming, and expert tree-skiing too. Northstar’s base village is ultra-family-friendly, with cushy couches and fire pits (and ready-to-go s’mores fixings), plus wine bars, shops, and lodging. Other Tahoe resorts include Sugar Bowl , a family favorite and a great place for lessons, and, on the lake’s west side, Homewood Mountain Resort , with runs that seem to drop right into the lake. Boreal , closest resort to Sacramento and San Francisco, is popular with day-trippers and even night skiers, who can carve it up under bright floodlights after dark. Near Squaw Valley, Alpine is a local favorite, especially after a big storm.Kirkwood Resort , about 35 miles south of the lake, boasts the region’s highest peaks, deepest snowfall, and epic steeps; there’s also an adjacent network of crosscountry ski trails, and places to go dogsledding. Another cross-country resort is Royal Gorge , North America’s largest cross-country skiing resort, with groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing, beautiful views, and lessons for all abilities. MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN With an average of 300 sunny days per year and some of the state’s deepest snowpack, Mammoth Mountain stands out as one of the state’s premier alpine resorts. Actually a dormant volcano surrounded by Sierra peaks, Mammoth is an impressive beast of a mountain, with wide bowls and broad runs sweeping down to an appealing base village. Known as Southern California’s go-to destination for wintertime fun, Mammoth Mountain is also easy to get to from the San Francisco Bay Area (nonstop flights daily in winter). Kick off the boots for a tour in a luxury Snowcat , riding from the main lodge to Minaret Summit for stunning views. Dine gourmet at Parallax , the resort’s on-mountain fine-dining restaurant. Or relax with an artisan brew at Mammoth Brewing Company , in the adjacent town of Mammoth Lakes . Finish off with another local favorite: a soak in one of the region’s natural hot springs .
BIG BEAR LAKE Forget bears; teenagers rule this neck of the woods. Big Bear Lake is home to Bear Mountain , a resort that prides in being boarder heaven. Even if you don’t snowboard, just sit back and watch truly amazing athleticism (and maybe dose of craziness) as young daredevils take to the terrain parks and pull off seriously big air moves. For a more mellow scene and skiers mixed in with the boarders, try Snow Summit , Bear Mountain’s sister resort, and reachable by free shuttle. Other off-slope activities in the area include Big Bear’s year-round Alpine Slide and tubing hill, scenic helicopter rides , and miles of snowshoe and cross-country ski trails. YOSEMITE & OTHER WINTRY WILDERNESS Miles of wilderness get blanketed with snow in California—wonderful places to explore on snowshoes or cross-country skis. Get lessons and gear at California’s alpine parklands, including Yosemite National Park , which also has it’s own low-key downhill resort,Badger Pass . At Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks , have cocoa at cozyWuksachi Lodge , then join a ranger-led snowshoe walk. At Lassen Volcanic National Park , in California’s uncrowded northeast corner, explore a stretch of the 29-mile snow-covered Main Park Road or trails surrounding pretty Manzanita Lake . Also in the Shasta Cascade region is majestic Mount Shasta, another dormant volcano. It’s home to the state’s most northern ski resort, Mount Shasta Ski Park , with 32 trails, 14 lighted for night skiing. California’s state parks also offer wintertime fun; some parks allow snowmobiling in specially designated “SNO-PARKS”; check the state park website for locations and details. MORE RESOURCES California Snow : Representing ski resorts in California and Nevada, this organization offers the annual Gold Pass, a unique way to experience 27 participating resorts, all on one pass. On the Snow : This nationwide resource includes stats on most of California’s alpine resorts, including details on terrain, lifts, acreage, and snow reports, and user ratings on family activities, nightlife, terrain parks, and more. —MATT KATZ
Essential apres ski and snowboard etiquette tips for out-of-towners Sentinel staff report POSTED: 02/06/2014 10:55:14 PM PST
Getting rad on the slopes is only half the recipe for the ultimate Tahoe ski vacation. What happens after you click out of your skis or unstrap from your snowboard can make or break a ski trip. The après ski scene is littered with both opportunities and pitfalls. But don't worry, the folks at the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association have compiled a guide to assure you grab the opportunity to be an après ski hero. We've included some highlights below. The complete guide can be found here.
What to wear ... If you're a quasi-professional skier: Everyone in a ski town is a “professional” skier, whether they are sponsored by their friend's sweatshirt company or by K2. Wear a flat-billed hat and your sponsor's clothing. Act like you are a big deal. What to drink ... if you barely scraped enough gas money together to make it to the slopes: The Cornice Cantina's “shifter” — a $1 PBR — was made for you. Just make sure you have enough cash to tip the bartender at this local's bar in the middle of the Squaw Valley parking lot near the Far East chairlift. Avoid ‘bro speak': Don't try to overcompensate for your status as an out-of-towner by trying to speak the local lingo. Asking “Did you shred the gnar today bro?” is not going to trick anyone into believing you are a pro skier. Be normal. Have fun. Speak English, bro
By Kimberly Wilkes Posted on February 6
Sierra mountain resorts are buzzing with excitement this season. That’s because 2014 is a Winter Olympics year, and the athletes are training or competing in Olympic finals at some local ski areas. Head to the hills for your chance to rub shoulders with the experts. What else is new this season? For starters, new lifts, new territory, and an easier way for beginning skiers and riders to learn the sport. But this winter, our Sierra snow update isn’t just about skiing and riding. In addition to sharing the lowdown on what’s new at the mountain resorts, we’re also giving you some great suggestions for off-slope activities—everything from yoga to ice fishing to winter mountain biking, not to mention bowling at an alley that doubles as the Pebble Beach golf course.
Alpine Meadows/Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley terrain parks now have a combined $70,000 in new features. Expect more variety and creativity in the park layouts thanks to an expanded arsenal of jibs along with additions to several signature features. Also new: Squaw Valley’s parent and child lessons. Parents receive tips on skiing with their little ones (ages 3 to 5). In addition, Squaw and Alpine have invested more than $2 million in snowmaking guns, new piping and system upgrades.
Bear Valley Resorts In the past, beginners taking lessons were either ahead of others in the group and impatient to move on or embarrassed about holding the class back. Bear Valley now has a solution: Five learning stations included in the beginner lesson package allow beginning skiers and boarders to progress at their own pace. Instructors at the stations teach balance, introduction to the wedge, speed control, turning and chair lift use. Stay at each station as long as you like or return to a station for a refresher course. Also at Bear Valley: The Cub Club Ski and Snowboard School for children ages 4 to 8 has doubled in size.
Best Off-Slope Adventure: Explore the Mokelumne Wilderness on a guided backcountry snowshoe adventure. mtadventure.com
Boreal Ridge/Soda Springs We know there will be skiing and snowboarding—snow-making machines at Boreal were starting up in the fall—but at press time, we couldn’t verify what’s new at these resorts this season. Don’t let that stop you from making the short drive to these hills. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Bounce on the Super Tramp, the “largest trampoline made in the world,” located inside Woodward Tahoe at Boreal and made especially for freestyle skiers and riders who want to perfect their aerial skills.woodwardtahoe.com
Diamond Peak Access two ski resorts for the price of one when Diamond Peak and Homewood Mountain Resort team up to offer season pass holders reciprocal skiing. Mix things up a little by taking advantage of a total of four days of allmountain-access skiing or riding at Homewood. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Buy a day pass at Incline Village Parks & Recreation Center and splash around the indoor pool. Take an aqua fitness or liquid cardio class or have fun on your own. inclinerecreation.com
Dodge Ridge Explore new territory at Dodge Ridge thanks to the recently installed Doppelmayr T-Bar 643 surface lift accessing the second summit. The lift opens up more than 20 skiable acres in-bounds. Expert skiers can now fly down 1,000 feet of north-facing vertical black diamond runs, doubling the length of The Shots. Best Off-Slope Adventure: On your way through Sonora, stop in at Indigeny Reserve’s tasting bar for a glass of hard cider or apple brandy made with apples from the organic orchard. indigenyreserve.com
Donner Ski Ranch
There’s a lot more to Donner Ski Ranch than meets the eye. “A lot of people are surprised we’re so much bigger than we appear from the front,” says Kathy Mosby, the owner’s assistant. Although there isn’t anything new at the resort, Mosby says they pride themselves on what hasn’t changed—they’re still family-owned and -operated.
Granlibakken Use Granlibakken’s lifts to access the cross-country trails at the property’s upper reaches and you won’t have to pay a dime. Granlibakken will let you use the lifts for free (when the lifts operate: Friday–Monday and holidays) whether you bring your own skis or snowshoes or rent them at the resort. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Soar 15 to 50 feet above the ground at Granlibakken’sTreetop Adventure Park, voted the No. 1 Tahoe activity on TripAdvisor. Reservations are required. granlibakken.com
Heavenly Mountain Resort Fresh out of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, freestyle athletes will converge on Heavenly to compete in the U.S. FreestyleChampionships March 28–30 on the moguls of Gunbarrel. Freestyle skiers such as U.S. Ski Team athlete Sho Kashima will showcase their talents. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Families can take a spin around the ice skating rink atThe Village at Heavenly or at the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena(tahoearena.com). Or they can watch a hockey game at the South Tahoe rink. Singles finish their ski day at Heavenly’s Unbuckle at Tamarack, rated the No. 1 après ski party in North America by Forbes and CNN Travel. This year, the party—3:30–5:30 p.m. daily—moves to the patio.
Homewood Mountain Resort Moms, dads, grandparents, kids and grandkids can spend quality time together at Homewood with the Heritage 3 Generations Pass. Two adults, two children/teens (ages 5 to 18) and two seniors or “super seniors” (70 and older) receive unrestricted Homewood season passes for $1,299. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Admire moonlight reflections on Lake Tahoe during the full moon snowshoe tours at Sugar Pine Point State Park. Call West
Shore Sports to ask about this year’s dates and to reserve your space. (530) 525-9920
June Mountain Mammoth Mountain’s neighbor, June Mountain, re-opens with full operations beginning in mid-December. Mammoth Mountain MVP season pass holders can ski or ride at either resort. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Drive to nearby Mono Lake and admire the tufa towers rising up from the shoreline or get a glimpse of volcanic craters. Serious shutterbugs with SLR cameras can participate in the workshop The Forgotten Season: Winter Photography in the Mono Basin Jan. 17–19. Call to register.(760) 647-6595
Kirkwood Want to know how well your children are doing on the slopes? Enroll them in Kirkwood’s Ski and Ride School and, as part of EpicMix Academy, you’ll receive a report card of your children’s lesson. Track their accomplishments online bycreating a profile at epicmix.com. Adults also can create an EpicMix profile to share their progress on the slopes with friends and family back home. Other improvements include moving the ski patrol into a new building at the top of chair 10, additional bathrooms in the plaza area women’s facility and a ticket kiosk at the top of the grand staircase to reduce bottlenecks in the regular ticket area. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Go ice fishing on 600-acre Caples Lake. For safety’s sake, check for at least 6 inches of ice. For conditions, call Caples Lake Lodge (open Christmas through April). (209) 258-8888
Mammoth Mountain The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association chose Mammoth Mountain— celebrating its 60th anniversary this winter—as an official training ground for U.S. freeskiing and snowboarding athletes preparing for the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. The excitement builds Jan. 18–19, when the 2014 Olympic Snowboarding Team for the new halfpipe and slopestyle Olympic events is announced at Mammoth during the final Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix.
Best Off-Slope Adventure: Play golf in Pebble Beach one minute and bowl in Mammoth Lakes the next inside the new Mammoth Rock ’n’ Bowl, opening early winter 2013/2014. Have a ball in the 12-lane bowling alley, lit up by laser lights on some weekend nights. Or use real clubs to hit real golf balls across high-definition computerized depictions of famous courses such as Pebble Beach or the Old Course at St Andrews. After pursuing your virtual hole-inone, feast on gourmet cuisine while gazing at spectacular views of the Sherwin Range and Mammoth Mountain at the center’s upscale restaurant.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe It’s much easier this year to walk from the upper parking lot to the base area thanks to two sets of staircases connecting lots 3 and 4. Keeping in touch with friends, family and business associates also is easier thanks to the expanded Wi-Fi service in both the Main Lodge and the Winters Creek Lodge. Meanwhile, more seats at Mountain View Dining in the main lodge make it less of a challenge to find a place to sit on crowded days. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Trade cornices for culture at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, about a half-hour drive from the ski resort in good weather. Admire high desert views from the serpentine Mt. Rose Highway and appreciate exhibits by artists such as Andy Warhol. nevadaart.org
Northstar Northstar’s Big Springs Gondola went to the plastic surgeon. The new look includes refurbished cabins with new doors and windows, more cushioning in the seats, upgraded ski and snowboard racks, plus an exterior makeover. Winter Olympics fans will enjoy visiting Northstar Jan. 9–12, when Sprint U.S. Snowboarding & Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix competitors vie for their place in the 2014 winter games. At the event, watch the newest Winter Olympic sports including ski halfpipe, ski slopestyle and snowboard slopestyle. Best Off-Slope Adventure: History buffs will enjoy the Emigrant Trail Museum at Donner Memorial State Park, which pays tribute to Native Americans, the Donner Party and builders of the transcontinental railroad. (530) 582-7892
Royal Gorge Cross Country
Find your way around Royal Gorge much more easily this season with improved signage. You’ll also find enhanced food and beverage options at the lodge and the on-trail warming huts. Best Off-Slope Adventure: At Royal Gorge’s new Sierra Snowkite Center, a wind-powered kite tugs you downhill and uphill. It’s like windsurfing on the snow, with a snowboard under your feet. But be warned: Snowkiting isn’t for the casual beginning boarder. It’s challenging to keep your balance (sierrasnowkite.com). Another alternative? Winter mountain biking on Royal Gorge’s new fat-tire snowbiking trails. Ride single-track trails through the snow on winter-specific bikes.
Sierra at Tahoe Sit on the deck and soak up the sun or warm up by one of the fire pits at the new $4.5 million, 9,000-square-foot facility at the mountain’s base. This basearea plaza is home to the resort’s new spring concert series plus more live music and events throughout the season. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Coast down the slope on a tube at Sierra at Tahoe’s Blizzard Mountain, which added another tubing lane this winter.
Sugar Bowl The new Crow’s Peak chairlift—a fixed-grip Doppelmayr triple—will whisk skiers and riders 1,000 feet up to advanced and expert terrain on the resort’s west side and provide easy access to the Strawberry Fields area. Up until this year, you could only reach this area by hiking from the Disney Express Chair. With the new lift, skiers and riders can sail down two new groomed runs, tree ski through glades, chutes, and cliffs, and enjoy a wind-protected area on inclement weather days. Best Off-Slope Adventure: If you’re staying at Sugar Bowl’s lodge or village, or if you’re a resort homeowner, you’ll have access to the new $4.5 million SportHaus within the snowbound village. Swim in two lap lanes, soak in outdoor hot tubs, get in shape at the fitness facilities, or relax in the yoga studio or spa.
Tahoe Donner Take a break from ski school lessons to warm up in the new 700-square-foot slopeside yurt or enjoy the view from the wraparound deck. Separate from the public areas, the yurt saves ski school students from having to venture too far away when they need a rest. Best Off-Slope Adventure: Visit the Truckee Railroad Museum, inside a Southern Pacific Railroad caboose. Look at railroad artifacts and learn about the area’s logging history. Open weekends and holidays. truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com
NORTH LAKE TAHOE Tahoe Biltmore (tahoebiltmore.com) in Crystal Bay has opened the new Bilty’s Brew & Q restaurant, which serves house-smoked meats and such barbecue dishes as baby-back ribs and pulled pork with handcrafted sauces. Like your food fresh? It doesn’t get any fresher than Squaw Valley’sRocker@Squaw restaurant (squaw.com/the-village), where the new farm-to-table winter special allows diners to feast on recently harvested food provided by local farmers. Northstar skiers and riders will appreciate the convenience of The Backyard Bar & BBQ, opening at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe (ritzcarlton.com) in midDecember. Ski into the restaurant for lunch or après ski drinks and appetizers, and savor St. Louis smoked ribs, brisket and pulled pork platters drenched in housemade barbecue sauces. Two other changes: The West Shore Cafe (westshorecafe.com), with its elegant Old Tahoe atmosphere, has a new chef, and The Grill at Homewood now has an expanded menu and an outdoor winter beer garden.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE If you’d like a side of sunset with your après ski appetizers or dinner, stop by the recently reopened Boathouse restaurant (tahoebeachretreat.com) on the pier at Beach Retreat and Lodge.
Authentic Greek food, meanwhile, is on the menu at The Landing Resort & Spa’s new restaurant (thelandingresortandspa.com), specializing in woodfired Greek seafood and traditional Greek dishes such as moussaka. Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery (gunbarreltavern.com) is conveniently located next to the gondola in The Village at Heavenly, but even if you’re not skiing there, go out of your way to eat at this restaurant. The Lamb “Lollipops” are as tasty as they are creative, and the custardy bread pudding is a delight. Finally, Artemis Mediterranean Grill (artemismediterraneangrill.com) also deserves a nod. Go for the Greek lettuce wraps.
KIRKWOOD Kirkwood has opened the new City Bar on the Village Plaza. Encased in glass walls, the restaurant features an umbrella top that folds back on goodweather days to reveal the Sierra sky.
MAMMOTH LAKES CAMPO restaurant (campomammoth.com), run by celebrated chef Mark Estee, opened in The Village at Mammoth to the delight of Eastern Sierra foodies. Esquire recently named Estee’s original CAMPO, located in Reno, one of America’s best new restaurants. Another good choice: the Lakefront Restaurant(tamaracklodge.com/Lakefront_Restaurant), where you can watch the sunset over Twin Lakes, sip a hot mulled wine or housemade cider, and enjoy the cuisine of new executive chef Marc Mora.
Spend the Night NORTH LAKE TAHOE In mid-December, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino(laketahoe.hyatt.com) will unveil a complete redesign of its 24 lakeside cottages.The Village at Squaw Valley (squaw.com/the-village) also has completed $1.2 million worth of renovations of its slopeside condominium suites. Each bedroom in every condominium now has new mattresses and
modern, triple-sheet bedding. Many condominiums also have received new furniture, carpet, additional flat-screen TVs and air conditioning.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel (tahoeresorthotel.com) is working toward replacing its past identity as Embassy Suites by investing $5 million in renovations. By winter, the resort hopes to infuse more of an alpine ambiance into the lobby, where you’ll be able to play checkers or chess or read in front of a dual-sided fireplace. In the remodeled all-suite rooms, sink into new Serta perfect sleeper mattresses and snuggle up under 300-thread-count sheets. Other touches include new flat-screen TVs in the suites’ living areas and bedrooms, new bath surrounds, granite countertops and new headboards. Other hotels that have undergone renovations include Timber Cove Lodge, which has become Beach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe (tahoebeachretreat.com); Tahoe Beach & Ski Club (tahoebeachandski.com), in its third year of a five-year renovation; and The Ridge Tahoe Resort (ridgetahoeresort.com), which just added a new pickle-ball court (a mix between tennis and pingpong) as part of a 10year plan that includes more than $10 million in improvements. Plus, a high-end boutique hotel overlooking Lake Tahoe called Landing Resort & Spa (thelandingresortandspa.com) has replaced The Royal Valhalla Lodge.
KIRKWOOD AREA Sorensen’s Resort (sorensensresort.com) in Hope Valley is hosting several new events this winter. On Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m., relive the adventures of John “Snowshoe” Thompson as he makes the trek from Genoa, Nev., to Placerville in the late 1800s. It’s a great deal for kids ($5) and adults ($10). But be prepared: You might hear the siren call of Sorensen’s berry cobbler. Sorensen’s lodging guests receive discounts to two other new events, including the Holiday Cards in Woodblock Printing Class Dec. 3–4, where you’ll walk away with unique, handmade holiday cards. And on March 1, take a guided tour in search of bald and golden eagles in the nearby Carson Valley.
Tahoe skiing: Family lessons that won't break the bank POSTED: 02/04/2014 12:00:00 PM PST | UPDATED: 26 DAYS AGOÂ
By Peter Delevett
We wanted to introduce our 4-year-old to skiing last winter, and my friend Big Paul said: "Take him to Northstar, drop him off at the ski school." Which was probably sound advice. The problem was, I didn't want to drop him off and ski away. For one thing, I was keen to share in the experience. For another thing, though James is blessed with natural athleticism (thanks to his mom) and the fearlessness that infects most young boys, I wasn't sure how he'd take to being, well, dropped off in a strange place to try a strange sport for the first time. So I figured I'd just find a place that offered family lessons. Unfortunately, that ended up being easier said than done. Big Paul's words were prophetic: Most of the major Lake Tahoe resorts only offer kids' ski schools where mom and dad aren't invited to participate. I can understand the rationale: No doubt there are liability issues involved when grown-ups mill around with other people's children. (And quite frankly, I'm sure plenty of parents who have devoted the time and money to a Tahoe trip are happy for some kid-free skiing.) Still, my hopes for a daddy-and-mommy-and-me experience left me with one option at the bigger resorts: A private family lesson that could run as steep as a black diamond slope. At Northstar, for instance, half-day family lessons were going for $515. Squaw Valley quoted $479 (although this winter, they've added a less expensive option called Teaching Tykes; for more information, see the accompanying box). At both places, we'd be looking at another $300-plus for lift tickets and equipment rentals for the three of us. Homewood Mountain Resort in Tahoe City offered a far more affordable option: Its Family and Friends private lessons ran as low as $79 an hour. "Much of skiing and snowboarding's fun comes from interacting with friends and family on the slopes," said Brian Schilling, Homewood's snow sports school manager. "Offering family group instruction is a perfect fit."
But lift tickets and equipment added nearly $250 to the tally -- not a deal-breaker, but I hoped to do better. Diamond Peak, at Incline Village, cost just $180 for tickets and rentals, provided we waited until 12:30 to hit the slopes. However, an employee at the resort's Child Ski Center told me, "They're fairly strict about it being a 'no-parent zone.' " The idea, he said, is to encourage kids to trust their instructors.
While Diamond Peak does offer private family lessons, children have to be 7 or older to participate. In desperation, I started Googling for alternatives and stumbled across a reference to a ski hill called Granlibakken, 10 minutes north of Homewood. A private, one-hour lesson for James, I was told, was $65, and each additional person cost $30 -- lift tickets included. What's more, equipment rentals for the three of us, including a helmet for James, would total a measly $95. (The prices have ticked up a bit in the past year, but not by much; see box for details.) Things got even better when I realized the place was just two miles from Tahoe City's Lake of the Sky Inn -- where, coincidentally, I'd stayed with some friends on my last ski trip prefatherhood. A (very) basic room with two queen beds set us back $120, including a (very) basic breakfast. When I call Granlibakken a "ski hill," I mean just that. General Manager Kay Williams told me the resort's lone slope stands only 300 feet in height. Still, she said, "It's not all beginner skiing." Ride the platter lift to the top, and you've got a choice of several wooded trails and downhill runs, not to mention a pretty view of the lake's cobalt-blue water. It was enough to make me feel I'd gotten in a legitimate afternoon of skiing. The trees give Granlibakken its name, which is Norwegian for a "hill sheltered by trees." The 74-acre, family owned resort opened in 1947 -- two years before Squaw Valley. But the property's roots date back to 1924, when it was called Olympic Hill. According to industry websitewww.SkiLakeTahoe.com, that makes it "the first ski resort in the Lake Tahoe basin." Granlibakken's owners also assert that, because its location shelters it from wind and sun, it's typically the first to receive enough snow for skiing each year and the last place to lose it. Still, to be on the safe side the resort has the snow-making equipment that's requisite in these days of drought. We got fitted for boots and skis in the same rustic "snack hut" that offers chili and hot chocolate for après ski. As for the tickets, they're half-off for people staying at the resort;
they also cover the adjoining sledding area. Williams said that if you're too busy skiing to try out the smaller sled hill, the tickets will be honored there the next morning. James, in fact, was quite happy to spend a few hours shooting down the sled hill on one of the brightly colored plastic saucers. When at last it was time for his ski lesson, he was even happier to head off with his instructor, Travis Glander, and leave us in his dust. I skied behind at a respectful distance, while my wife stationed herself with the video camera near the base of the tow rope. It occurred to me that Big Paul may have been right in the end. But as I watched my fearless preschooler learning to make a "pizza pie" with his ski tips, and heard my wife's gleeful cheers, I was thankful not to be in a parent-free zone. Contact Peter Delevett at 408-271-3638. Follow him at Twitter.com/mercwiretap. null FAMILY SKI LESSONS Our choice was Granlibakken, a small family owned resort in Tahoe City that offers superaffordable lessons on its ski hill. Granlibakken (www.granlibakken.com) -- One-hour private lessons cost $85 for one person (ages 4 and up) and $30 for each additional person (with lift tickets included). Equipment rentals run $30-$35 for skis, poles and boots. It's the same price for snowboards/boots. Helmets ($6) are mandatory for anyone younger than 18. Lift rates for 2013-14 are adults, $30 full day, $16 half-day. Children 12 and younger ski for $20 full day, $10 half-day. OTHER TAHOE OPTIONS If you're looking for a bigger mountain with a full range of runs -- but family ski lessons that won't break the bank -- try these resorts:  Homewood (www.skihomewood.com) -- Their Family and Friends private lessons, introduced last winter, blend ski or snowboard instruction for up to five people at various ages and skill levels. A one-hour, early bird session costs $79, while half-day and full-day options are more expensive. Does not include lift tickets ($59 for adults, $24 for kids 5-12, free for younger children) or equipment rentals ($49 full-day, $39 half-day for adults; $39$29 for kids, plus $19 for helmets).  Squaw Valley (www.squaw.com) -- The new Teaching Tykes program is a one-hour private lesson for kids 3-5 and parents who want tips on how to teach them to ski or snowboard. (Northstar discontinued a similar program, called Teach Your Tot, last year.) The $169 fee includes "beginner lift" tickets for parent and child, plus the little one's
equipment. Grown-up gear costs $54 (boots and skis/poles or snowboard), and if mom or dad want to hit the big slopes later, lift tickets are $87 half-day, $102 full-day or $95 if bought online at least three days in advance.  Mt. Rose (http://dev.skirose.com) -- Halfway between Reno and Lake Tahoe, it offers private instruction for kids 3 and older on a first-come, first-served basis. The popular onehour lessons, which often sell out, cost $110, with each additional person $80; equipment rental and all-day lift tickets are included.
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Love Abounds in North Lake Tahoe, California With Lodging, Dining, Spa Specials, Events Around the Lake for Valentine’s Day 2/4/2014 North Lake Tahoe, California hotels, restaurants and attractions are preparing for Valentine’s weekend by offering couples an array of packages. Here’s a round-up of top Valentine’s Day events, specials and packages. Diamond Peak Couples who enjoy wine, skiing and Tahoe can soak up the views with Diamond Peak’s special Valentine’s Day Last Tracks event. Catch the last chairlift up to the mid-mountain Snowflake Lodge and enjoy wine and appetizer pairings by Francis Ford Coppola Winery. After enjoying views from the lake and sunset, guests will ski down the freshly groomed run. The event begins at 4:10 p.m., but Last Tracks tickets can be picked up at 2 p.m. to get some runs in before the event. Space is limited, so reserve your spot online today or contact Guest Services at (775) 832-1253. Cost: $34, includes lift ticket (valid 2-4 p.m.) and Last Tracks event. Homewood Mountain Resort Homewood Mountain Resort offers adventurous couples looking to get married on Valentine’s Day an unforgettable backdrop for their special day. Homewood’s “I do, with a view” wedding ceremonies will take place at mid-mountain, just below the resort’s iconic Big Blue View Bar – a location that provides for panoramic Lake Tahoe views unrivaled in the Tahoe basin. Three packages are available for couples that ski and/or snowboard and wish to take profess their love on the slopes. All guests attending must ski and ride to the ceremony site. All packages include on-mountain service provided by local Minister Christa Deane, a marriage license and certified license copy. Cost: Starts at $300. Granlibakken Enjoy a relaxing time with your valentine at Granlibakken’s Valentine’s Day Sweetheart
Weekend. This package touts plenty of quality time and includes two nights of lodging, complimentary hot breakfast each morning, an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, sauna, ski/sled/snow play hill, as well as the fireside Surf and Turf Valentine’s Three-Course Dinner for two. Cost: Starting at $325. Tahoe Cross Country The Tahoe Cross Country Yurt Dinner is a dining experience truly immersive of North Tahoe culture. Begin with a moonlit ski or snowshoe hike in the wooded Pine forests where hot mulled wine awaits next to roaring fires. The warm glow of a yurt will light the horizon where a threecourse dinner, catered by As You Wish is served. All money raised benefits the Winter Discovery Program. This magical evening is for adults only. Cost: $70 per person Northstar California For the competitors at heart, enjoy the Cupid’s Course Valentine’s Fun Race throughout Valentine’s weekend. Challenge your loved one to a head-to-head Valentine’s race and find out who gets bragging rights for the next year! Skiers and riders of all levels are welcome to participate in this fun race at our Epic Mix Race Venue. Cost: Donations, 50% of all donations are given to the Tahoe SAFE Alliance. Full Moon Snowshoe Tour Join Tahoe Adventure Company for a full moon guided snowshoe trek through the brisk mountain air of North Lake Tahoe’s forests. Throughout the journey, guides will discuss natural history and astronomy. Enjoy a stop mid-hike to enjoy the views, snacks and a warm beverage. As you travel by moonlight knowledgeable guides will discuss Natural History and Astronomy topics. Cost: $65 per person. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe The Rekindle Romance Package provides offers two guest a private and rejuvenating mountain retreat. Indulge in each other’s company with a couples massage in a romantically illuminated spa suite and enjoy an evening at a signature restaurant or breakfast in bed with a $100 resort credit during your stay. Have no worries about jumping out of bed early, a late check-out of 2 p.m. is offered on the day of departure. Cost: Starting at $399 USD per night. Hyatt Regency, Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino The 20,000 square foot Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency, Lake Tahoe offers Valentine’s Specials all month long for couples looking to relax and rejuvenate.
The “I Love Me” package includes a 50 minute Stillwater massage, a 25 minute Lushly scrub, Moroccan Oil™ Shampoo & Blowdry, a complimentary champagne toast and when you spend $50 or more on retail, you will receive a $25 retail gift card. Cost: $225 ($345 value). The “I Heart You” package includes a 75 minute couple’s escape massage, a 25 minute Moroccan Oil™ scalp massage and conditioning treatment, a complimentary champagne toast and when you spend $50 or more on retail, you will receive a $25 retail gift card. Cost: $425 ($625 value). Packages do not include 20% service charge or taxes where applicable. Resort at Squaw Creek The Resort at Squaw Creek’s “Light My Fire” package includes a guest room with a fireplace, a “Sparkles and Sweets” champagne amenity, spa turndown, room service breakfast for two and complimentary valet parking. This special offer is available year-round with rates beginning at $299 per night. Tahoe Donner Head out on the Valentine’s Day Snowshoe at Snowplay, a wintery outing with romantic sunset views. The tour traverses through open meadows to the Glacier Point overlook above Donner Lake. Enjoy a panoramic view of Mt. Rose to the east and Castle Peak to the west. Cost: $7.50 with your own snowshoes or $15 including snowshoe rental. Add something special to your snowshoe adventure with the full moon ski and snowshoe tour and dinner at the Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center February 14 from 5 – 8 p.m. The tour includes watching the moon rise from the trails, dinner and wine tasting. Cost: $45 adult, $30 for 12 and under. For more Valentine’s Day deals in North Lake Tahoe check out the “Cool Deals” tab on, www.gotahoenorth.com. For more information about North Lake Tahoe, visitwww.gotahoenorth.com. And for the best bargains, including lodging, check out the “Cool Deals” tab, which is updated daily. North LakeTahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village.
Extraordinary Winter Sports Try some new activities this season, such as bobsledding, curling, or skiing with a kite. By Megan McCrea | January/February 2014 The presents are unwrapped, the houseguests have left, and cabin fever has taken hold. Want to get outside and try something new this year? From curling to bobsledding, extraordinary winter sports and activities abound.
Snow kites defy inertia in a wholly new way. Hooked to a kite, a skier or snowboarder can traverse a snowy meadow with the wind. Learn how at California’s Sierra Snowkite Center at Sugar Bowl, the first in the Tahoe area. (530) 816-0485, sierrasnowkite.com.
Aspiring Olympians slide into a bobsled behind a pro pilot, then hold on as the sled screams downhill at 80 mph—on the track used for the 2002 Olympic games in Park City, Utah. (435) 6584200, utaholympiclegacy.com.
Curious about curling? At the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club’s clinics, novices learn to throw and sweep the 42-pound stone. You don’t even have to BYOB—brooms are provided. (415) 7452875, bayareacurling.com.
Bird lovers flock to Utah’s Sundance Resort for excursions that redefine the term night owl. Guided by naturalists, participants snowshoe under the stars in search of owls—barn, great horned, and short-eared. (801) 223-4170,sundanceresort.com.
In Big Sky, Mont., adrenaline junkies get their fix on winter zip lines. On the Nature Zip, participants soar above scenic ravines; riders on the Adventure Zip race down at 35 mph, 150 feet above the skiers. (406) 995-5769,bigskyresort.com.
Grab your crampons and take to the ice in Jackson, Wyo., where Exum Mountain Guides offers lessons on a special ice climbing wall ideal for learning the ropes. (307) 733-2297, tetonicepark.com.
Aspiring Olympians slide into a bobsled behind a pro pilot, then hold on as it screams downhill at 80 mph on the same track used for the 2002 Olympic games in Park City, Utah. (435) 6584200, utaholympiclegacy.com.
Each winter, members of the Libby, Mont., Polar Bear Club meet weekly for an icy plunge in Libby Creek. Even if you can’t stay in the 35-degree water for 30 minutes—alongside club president “Polar Bear” Rick Klin—you’ll still receive a certificate. (406) 293-3608, libbymt.com.
Skijorers harness the power of their pooches forsupercharged cross-country skiing. Keen to try? In Estacada, Ore., the Cascade Sled Dog Club’s pull clinics teach skiers—and their dogs—the skills behind the sport. (503) 896-9199, cascadesleddogclub.com/pull-clinic.
For a bit of nostalgia, hop on a jingle bell–bedecked, horse-drawn sleigh to ride through Idaho’s Sun Valley. At the midpoint, you’ll dine at the Trail Creek Cabin, where Ernest Hemingway and Gary Cooper once hobnobbed. (208) 622-2800, sunvalley.com.
Prefer canine companionship? Head to Healy, Alaska, and hitch a ride by dogsled into Denali National Park and Preserve. Guide Jon Nierenberg has taken travelers into the tundra for decades and will even teach adventurous guests to mush. Watch for wolves, caribou, and moose. (907) 6832863, earthsonglodge.com. Photography by Michael Pavel This article was first published in January 2014. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.
Up to 2 feet of snow expected to fall atop Sierra (w/video)
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January 30, 2014, 3:31 PM RENO — The first significant winter storm in nearly two months brought heavy snow to the Sierra on Thursday, where up to 2 feet was expected at the upper elevations and more than a half foot of snow forced the closure of schools at Lake Tahoe. A winter weather advisory remained in effect in the Tahoe area until 4 a.m. Friday, but expired at midmorning Thursday in Reno, where flurries fell with much needed rain on the valley floors and a couple of inches of snow was reported in the foothills. As much as 8 inches of snow was reported Thursday morning at Gardnerville, 5 inches in Lyon County's Smith Valley and 4 inches in Carson City and Yerington, the National Weather Service said. More than an inch of rain fell in Verdi just west of Reno. The state highway from Reno to Virginia City was temporarily shut down while snow plows worked to clear the way to a half dozen minor traffic accidents on the slippery mountain road Thursday morning, and schools were closed there too. An avalanche warning was in effect along the Sierra's eastern front from north of Reno south to the Mammoth Lakes area in California. It marked the first significant snow since up to 3 feet fell above Lake Tahoe in early December. Ski resort officials said it was allowing them to open up numerous additional runs and trails at Northstar near Truckee, Calif., and Heavenly, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood on the south end of the lake. "This is the break we've been looking for," said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. The same front brought strong winds into southern Nevada, where a high-wind warning remained in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday in Red Rock Canyon and the Spring Mountains.
Another weak weather system was expected to bring additional light snow accumulations to the Sierra and western Nevada into Friday morning, with an inch or two possible in Reno and Carson City.
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January 30, 2014
North Lake Tahoe and Truckee community announcements TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. — Content for briefs is selected from e-mail submissions to Community Editor Amy Edgett at aedgett@sierrasun.com. E-mail for print submissions may be 150 words. Items are published in the print edition news space permitting. To enter community events online, visit www.tahoedailytribune.com/NorthShore/nCommunityCalendar, for entertainment www.tahoe.com. Support Tahoe Olympians Show your support for local Olympians at the North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center in Tahoe City, 100 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, Jan. 31. Celebrate Tahoe City raised Olympians and their families. Community members are encouraged to come out for the “Go USA/North Tahoe” group photo at 3 p.m. Following the community photo, there will be a reception. Sponsored by the Tahoe City Public Utility District and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. Winter skin care open house To celebrate the New Year, the winter season and winter skin awareness, Abbey RockeyScott, aesthetic RN at Sierra Cosmetic Laser will host a winter skin care open house Jan. 31, 4-6 p.m. Wine and light appetizers will be served at the free event. B-12 injections will be offered for $10 to attendees. Pariticpants may enter a drawing for a free laser treatment with Abbey at up to a $300 value. Sierra Cosmetic Laser is located at 10448 Donner Pass Road in Truckee. For more information visit sierracosmeticlaser.com, call 530-587-0198 or “Like” Sierra Cosmetic Laser and Spa on Facebook. Sensory snowshoe hikes Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Engage your senses while exploring nature away from the crowds with Tahoe Trips. An invigorating snowshoe hike immersed in the great outdoors. The Sensory Snowshoe Hike is suitable for all ages and abilities. Tahoe Trips will provide snowshoes, poles and knowledgeable guides. Hot breakfast, snacks and
hot beverages included. Cost is $80 per person, visit tahoetrips.com/trip/sensory-snowshoehike or call 530-587-2251. Wedding Faire meet and mingle Squaw Valley and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association welcome brides-to-be to the North Lake Tahoe Wedding Faire at Squaw Valley, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Future brides can check out local businesses including bakeries, florists, musicians, photographers, venues, event coordinators and wedding rentals. The Wedding Faire will take place in Squaw’s Olympic Village Lodge. Admission is free, and the first 100 brides and grooms to pre-register online will receive an automatic entry into a grand raffle prize of seven nights of accommodations in their choice of Costa Rica, Kaui, St. Maarten or Spain. Raffle tickets for the drawings will also be on sale at the event. For more information visit www.Squaw.com. Analyzing avalanche reports Learn to properly interpret the avalanche report and make smart decisions in the backcountry Feb. 4, 5-8 p.m., TMS, 8331 North Lake Blvd. and North Tahoe Event Center, 8318 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach. Event is free and open to the public. All raffle proceeds and a portion of sales will benefit the Sierra Avalanche Center. Representatives from the Sierra Avalanche Center will lead a presentation about how to properly read and interpret the avalanche report. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss technical and situational issues that arise in the field to create a good platform for safe backcountry decision. There will be a HUGE raffle at this event and everybody is sure to walk away with something. Join the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Adventure Group and connect with Tahoe Mountain Sports at www.meetup.com/LakeTahoeOutdoorAdventureGroup/events/161146902/ Healthcare information and enrollment workshops The scheduled events provide the public with information outlining The Affordable Care Act and the services offered in Placer and Nevada County. Learn about new healthcare coverage, ask questions, talk with Certified Covered California Enrollment Counselors, and obtain assistance with healthcare enrollment. Sierra College, Tahoe-Truckee Campus, 11001 College Trail, room 226, Feb. 6, 3-5 p.m. Tahoe Forest Hospital Medical Office Building, 10956 Donner Pass Road, Ste. 230, Feb. 12, 7-10 a.m.
Take household tax returns, government issued identification, social security cards, and last three pay stubs. Space is limited. Register now by calling the North Tahoe Family Resource Center at 530546-0952. This event is presented by the North Tahoe Family Resource Center, a Certified Covered California Outreach and Education Entity in collaboration with the Family Resource Center of Truckee, and Placer/Nevada County Health and Human Services. Crab Lovers Night Crab Lovers Night, Friday, Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m. The Rotary Club of Tahoe City will host an allyou-can eat crab dinner at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. Dinner will include all-you-can-eat fresh Bay Area Dungeness crab, pasta, salad, bread and dessert. Entertainment provided by the NTHS Jazz Band beginning at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $45 adults and $20 children 14 and under. For tickets (limited) mail check made out to Rotary Club of Tahoe City to Jim Cline, P.O. Box 1725, Kings Beach, CA 96143, or call 530-546-4840 for information. Please mail by Feb. 7. Truckee Tahoe AirFair & Family Festival T-shirt art contest The Truckee Tahoe AirFair & Family Festival (TTAF&FF) is hosting a T-shirt art contest for students 18-years-old or younger. Interested candidates must design a T-shirt for the 2014 “Women in Aviation” theme. The winning design will be put on all 2014 commemorative Tshirts, and the winner will be awarded $500. The winner will be mentioned online, in media announcements and acknowledged at the pre-event honorary dinner and AirFair. Application and design submission deadline is March 31, 2014. The free Truckee Tahoe AirFair & Family Festival is funded by the Truckee Tahoe Airport. All proceeds from sponsorships, vendor booth sales, T-shirts sales and other incidentals go to Truckee North Lake Tahoe youth for educational, sports, and arts programs, scholarships and supplies. These monies also help toward the operational costs for free flights for the kids on Sunday, July 13 and KidZone Museum. The event is put on by volunteers from the nonprofit organizations: Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1073, Truckee Optimist Club and KidZone Museum. For additional information and to download an application visit www.truckeetahoeairfair.com, or call KidZone Museum at 530-587-KIDS (5437).
5 Places to Catch Olympic Fever JANUARY 30, 2014 – 4:00 PM – 0 COMMENTS
With the Winter Olympics in Sochi fast approaching, now is the perfect time to plan a family getaway to a former Olympic host city right here in North America. We may not all have what it takes to be an Olympian, but a visit to an Olympic town gives us the chance to discover what it feels like to careen down a bobsled run, swoosh down the slopes, snap a photo with a gold-medal winner, or try a single Salchow on an Olympic skating rink. Here are five places to catch Olympic fever this winter:
Lake Placid, New York This charming hamlet in New York’s Adirondacks has hosted two Winter Olympics, in 1932 and 1980, the latter best remembered for the “Miracle on Ice” U.S. victory in men’s hockey against the Soviet Union. Unsurprisingly, this town proudly struts its Olympic heritage, offering a 1980 Games trivia scavenger hunt around town and a Winter Challenge competition. Get Your Olympics On: Several Olympiccomplexes and Whiteface Mountain offer a multitude of options, frombobsledding, skeleton, luge, Nordic and downhill skiing to ice skating and a biathlon experience. Lower-key options include toboggan rides on frozen Mirror Lake, gondola rides, snow tubing, and a visit to the Lake Placid
Olympics Museum. Want to do it all? The Lake Placid Winter Passport is the most cost-effective way to feel the Olympics rush. (MORE: Find a kid-friendly hotel in Lake Placid.) Calgary, Alberta Nestled in the wilds of the Canadian Rockies, the 1988 Calgary Olympics is remembered for standouts like British ski jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards and the Jamaican bobsled team’s embodiment of the Olympic spirit. Get Your Olympics On: Winsport’s Canada Olympic Park is the premier sports site and offers bobsled rides, Nordic and downhill skiing, ice skating, and an upgraded half-pipe that’s an exact replica of the one in Sochi. At the Olympic Oval, dubbed the “fastest ice in the world,” you can go ice skating or hang out in the Sochi Lounge, a community viewing area that will be open for the duration of the Sochi Olympics.
Salt Lake City, Utah The 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City attracted the largest crowds in the history of the winter games. Twelve years later, the facilities serve as training centers for aspiring athletes and visitors alike. Get Your Olympics On: Olympic Park offers guided tours of the Olympic venues, bobsled and skeleton sled rides, two museums, and a ride to top of the world’s highest ski jumps. At the Olympic Oval, visitors can take curling lessons or go ice skating. Soldier Hollow, the busiest venue of the 2002 Olympics, offers an amateur biathlon experience, cross-country skiing, and 1,200-foot tubing lanes, the longest in Utah.
(MORE: Find a kid-friendly hotel in Salt Lake City.) Squaw Valley, California
The Olympic Ice Pavilion in Squaw Valley (Flickr: jordanfischer)
The multi-colored rings announce that you’re in Olympic territory before you ever reach the slopes near Lake Tahoe. The 1960 Winter Olympics host has a tradition of cheering on local heroes that groomed their talent at Squaw Valley. Get Your Olympics On: You can go ice skating at the Olympic Ice Pavilion and visit the newly renovated mountain-side Olympic Museum. For a special treat, try a cookie at Wildflour Baking Company—a nostalgic favorite for Olympians who took their “cookie breaks” here as kids during ski school.
Whistler, British Columbia Vancouver may have been the official host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics, yet over half of the medal events were held at the ski resort town of Whistler.
The giant Inuksuit human-like sculptures carved by Canada’s native Inuits still stand guard as a lasting symbol of the Olympics in Whistler. Get Your Olympics On: At Whistler Olympic Plaza, where medal ceremonies took place, there is an ice skating rink and family nights on Mondays and Wednesdays. Whistler Sliding Centre on Blackcomb Mountain offers skeleton and bobsled rides, while Whistler Olympic Park offers an array of Nordic events such as cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and a biathlon experience. For the ultimate Olympic fan, Whistler Blackcomb offers a “Ski with an Olympian” full-day experience. Kristi Marcelle, a California based-freelance writer, contributed this to MiniTime.com.
 Snow Conditions At Tahoe Ski Resorts More Sharing ServicesShare|Share on facebookShare on twitter|
Resort managers and owners are breathing a sigh of relief Thursday as snow continues to fall in the Tahoe area. Take a look at reports coming from various resorts. Permalink (Sacramento, CA) Thursday, January 30, 2014 Managers from the Donner Ski Ranch and Squaw Valley said on Thursday's Insight that a good amount of snow is falling in the mountains, which bodes well for skiers and snowboarders in the coming days. Officials are warning of winter weather conditions on the roads and a number of schools were shut down for the day.
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Catch Olympics fever with these themed hotel packages Kelsey Blodget, Oyster.com10:01 a.m. EST January 29, 2014
The opening ceremony for the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi will be broadcast on Friday, Feb. 7, which means that Olympics fever is nearly here. Those of us who love the Winter Olympics may be looking for a taste of our own Olympics glory without going to Russia. Luckily, many hotels are allowing guests the chance to partake in the Olympics fun through Olympics-inspired packages. Whether you want to relive Winter Olympics past or simply show off your own winter sports prowess at some of the world's top winter destinations, these hotels have got you covered. Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe The Resort at Squaw Creek is one of the largest hotels in Squaw Valley, where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held. It's making the most of its Olympics past with the 1960 Winter Games Penthouse Package, which includes penthouse accommodations for two nights as well as two lift tickets and two adult ski rentals per day, among other offerings. The hotel has a ski-in, ski-out location with lift to Squaw Valley, making it easy for guests to ski the same slopes of long-ago Olympic greats. Waldorf Astoria Park City, Utah This uber-luxurious Park City hotel is a short drive away from Utah Olympic Park, built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The bobsleigh and luge events were held there, among others, and today the park continues to serve as a training center for athletes and a destination for visitors (there is a Winter Olympics and Ski Museum on-site). For skiers, The Waldorf sits at the base of the Canyons Resort, and for skaters, the Waldorf can arrange a private skating lesson with U.S. National Speed Skating Team member and Olympic hopeful Patrick Meek. ALSO ONLINE: Celebrate the Olympics in Las Vegas Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside The Pan Pacific has a premier location in Whistler Village, right next to the ski lifts. Its Go for Gold package (also available at its sister property, the Pan Pacific Village Centre) includes a bobsleigh experience for two adults, two "Sochi" cocktails at the Dubh Linn Gate
Irish Pub, and two pairs of Olympics 2014 mittens. The hotel's large, homey rooms come with fireplaces and kitchenettes. Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, Jackson Hole As the name implies, the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa has a cozy mountain lodge vibe (we especially like the stone fireplaces and exposed wooden beams in the lobby). The hotel's Podium Package provides guests with a $40 credit toward the restaurant and bar, Spur, where they can catch the Olympics on one of six HDTVs. A lift ticket and a six-pack of Snow King Pale Ale (Snow King Resort is a training spot for Olympic downhill teams) are also included. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo, Norway Oslo last hosted the Winter Olympics in 1952, but the city is in the running to do it again in 2022 – and it's easy to understand why it would be an appealing choice. TheRadisson Blu Plaza Hotel is one of the city's top luxury options, and it is also right near Oslo Central Station, which provides easy train access to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, the Korketrekkeren toboggan run and the slopes at Oslo Winterpark Tryvann. The Pierre – A Taj Hotel, New York City This elegant, historic hotel across the street from Central Park offers guests a taste of grand old New York. It also offers guests a taste of Olympics glory, quite literally, through the Olympics-inspired cocktail menu at Two E Bar/Lounge. Each of the five cocktails is one of the colors of the Olympic rings (red, blue, yellow, green and black); for example, the yellow Triple Salchow, with Russian Standard Vodka, Limoncello, spiced chai tea, freshsqueezed OJ, steamed milk and white chocolate. High Peaks Resort, Lake Placid The 1980 Winter Olympics was certainly one to remember; it was the year the USA hockey team defeated the Soviets in the famous game now known to many as the Miracle on Ice. The lakefront High Peaks Resort is a 10-minute walk away from the Lake Placid Olympic Center, home to the famous arena; competitive figure skating and hockey events still take place here. The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is also located in the complex. 70 Park Avenue, New York City This upscale Kimpton hotel has glam décor and a location within walking distance of the ice skating rink at Bryant Park. The hotel is offering a Kiddie Olympian Figure Skating Package, which includes ice skating lessons for a parent at child at Bryant Park Rink's
Winter Village rink, afternoon children's tea time at the Russian Tea Room and a Team USA Figure Skating pin.
Where's the Snow this Weekend: West Coast Report 1/29/14 29th January 2014 | JOEL GRATZ
With the current snowpack sitting at 20-40 percent of average for California and Oregon, many people joked that it would never snow again. I’m happy to report that their jokes brought the snow, as 1-2 FEET is likely to accumulate in Washington, Oregon and California on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The snow will be produced by an extremely moist and energetic storm that is pushing from the Pacific Ocean straight into the coast. At first, warm air associated with the high moisture content of the Pacific air will keep snow levels high. However, as the storms moves through, snow levels should drop and most ski areas will see all snow down to their bases. Forecasts for individual mountains are impressive, with 10" for Mammoth, 24" for places like Squaw Valley and Kirkwood near Lake Tahoe, 15-20" at Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, and 12-20" across resorts in Washington like Mt. Baker and Crystal Mountain. Unfortunately, dry weather will return for a week following this storm system, though the computer forecast models are hinting that a snowy pattern might return during the second week of February. Joel Gratz is a Meteorologist and the creator of OpenSnow.com.
 January 28, 2014
On the Hill: Storm moving in On the Hill, brought to you by the Tahoe Center for Orthopedics, brings you a video report showcasing Tahoe's ski conditions every day. Breakdown: Join Tahoe 'On the Hill' reporter Matt Hardy for a top to bottom run down Squaw Valley. Ten lifts spinning, 13 trails open (9 groomed). Squaw Valley official report: 0" overnight, 0" in last week Field report: Very warm today as the storm moves in. Weather: Cloudy with temperatures in the 50s becoming colder throughout the day. Liftline status: No lines. Snowcast: The NWS hoists the Winter Storm Watch flag as we await what could be the biggest storm in over 13 months. 1-2 Feet expected. The rain/snow starts Wednesday night, changing to snow Thursday and lasting into Friday. Cold air over the weekend with a chance of snow showers Sunday. What do you think of On the Hill? Any adventures you'd like to see? Contact us atonthehill@tahoedailytribune.com Like On the Hill on Facebook, and check out all the videos from Vail and Lake Tahoe. Â
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Alpenglow Mountain Festival in Tahoe By Christina Nellemann on January 28, 2014 12:45 PM
You know you wanna be here, but take that avalanche safety class first before heading into the snowy hills. Photo by Alpenglow Sports
Finally, the next forecast is predicting about a foot more snow in the Tahoe area. Hallelujah! It looks like those snow dances and prayers worked. This might be your best time to get up into the mountains for some Sochi-inspired extreme winter sports. If you're already an experienced skier or snowboarder, you know what to do, but what if you're new to mountain snow sports? Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City will be holding a two-week winter sport festival February 14 - March 2 which will feature clinics, classes, natural history lessons and backcountry ski and snowshoe tours at various locations around North Lake Tahoe including Squaw Valley, Page Meadows, Ward Canyon, Emerald Bay and Homewood. Each event is geared toward aspiring beginner and intermediate winter sport enthusiasts who want to get more exercise in the high mountains. Alpenglow has teamed up with Nature's Bakery to offer most of the events for free, but participants are encouraged to register online in advance to ensure they get a spot in their desired clinic or tour. You can also register for some great giveaways. The events will include guided snowshoe, backcountry and nordic ski tours, cross country skills and wax clinics, AIARE certified field and classroom avalanche safety clinics, and full moon skiing. Other events will include the Great Ski Race at Tahoe Cross Country, the Wine, Women and Wax clinic, presentations by Mammut athlete Todd Offenbacher and Alpenglow Sports experts on backcountry skiing and avalanche conditions, and a natural history tour with Will Richardson of the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science.
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Winter Olympics-Inspired Travel You can watch the Winter Games on television, but it's easier than you'd think to experience the thrill of victory firsthand at one of these sporty cities. By Maridel Reyes 1/27/2014
The Olympics bring out the flag-waving, Team USA-cheering amateur athlete in almost everyone. Sure, you can watch the Winter Games on television, but it's easier than you'd think to experience the thrill of victory firsthand at one of these sporty cities. Bobsled ride, anyone?
Speed Skating in Milwaukee Game Plan: Pettit National Ice Center is the indoor oval where athletes prepared for this year's Winter Games in Sochi. Every single U.S. speed skater from the last five Olympic Winter Games has competed or trained at the Pettit Center, which also offers public skating every day. Break Time: Built in 1893, the historic Pfister Hotel (thepfisterhotel.com, from $139), located in downtown Milwaukee, is known for its old-world touches, including soaring painted ceilings and an impressive Victorian art collection. For something completely different, The Iron Horse Hotel (theironhorsehotel.com, from $179) is an industrial-cool boutique lodging with 100 loft-style rooms in a converted mattress factory. It attracts everyone from families to business travelers to motorcycle enthusiasts (the Harley-Davidson Museum is nearby).
Bobsledding in Salt Lake City Game Plan: Salt Lake City and nearby resorts hosted the Winter Games back in 2002, and today daredevils can make a reservation for a Comet Bobsled ride ($200 per person, ages 16 and up) at Utah Olympic Park. (Don't worry, a professional will be driving.) In less than 60 seconds, you'll rip through 15 turns, reach top speeds of about 80 miles per hour and experience up to 5 g's of force. The not-so-brave can head to the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center for complimentary admission to the Alf Engen Ski
Museum and Eccles 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. The former highlights the history of skiing and features a virtual-reality ski theater that mimics what it feels like to "ride" over Mount Superior in Little Cottonwood Canyon, while the latter provides an up-close look at costumes and props from the 2002 opening ceremony as well as gear used by athletes. Break Time: Most rooms at the Newpark Resort & Hotel (newparkresort.com, from $319) have a private hot tub on the balcony, heated bathroom floors and a fully stocked kitchen. Spread out at the wellappointed (stainless steel appliances, a fireplace and a washer-dryer in each unit), spacious Jupiter Inn condos (pclodge.com/properties-park-city-lodging/jupiter-inn-park-city, from $215 for a one-bedroom that sleeps four).
Hockey in Lake Placid, New York Game Plan: Lake Placid hosted the Winter Games in 1932 and 1980, so your first stop should be the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, featuring the largest collection of Winter Olympics artifacts outside the International Olympic Committee's museum, including medals, torches, posters and mascots. Next, tour the Olympic Center, site of the legendary 1980 "Miracle on Ice" hockey game in which underdog America defeated the Soviets. The venue offers public skating sessions, concerts, hockey tournaments and figure skating championships. At the Olympic Sports Complex, thrill-seekers shoot down the combined bobsled, luge and skeleton track year-round. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages can hit the powder at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, the same slopes that hosted racing competitions during the games. Break Time: At the family-owned Wildwood on the Lake (wildwoodmotel.com, from $88) most rooms have a private deck or patio with a water view. If you prefer to be in the center of the action, the Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club (lakeplacidcp.com, from $109) features breathtaking views of the lake and Whiteface Mountain.
Ski Jump in Calgary, Alberta Game Plan: At Calgary's Canada Olympic Park, site of the 1988 Olympics, athletes train at the Ski Jump Tower year-round. While you can't practice there, the family can explore the park's cross-country skiing trails, with varied terrain suitable for all levels. If you'd rather stay indoors, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, also in the park, has 12 galleries with more than 50 interactive exhibits and a collection of 95,000 sports artifacts. The Olympic and Paralympic Games Gallery profiles the three times Canada has hosted the Olympic Games: 1976, 1988 and 2010. Break Time: The Best Western Premier Freeport Inn & Suites (bestwesterncalgary.com, from $138) boasts an indoor pool and water slide, while the Lakeview Signature Inn (lakeviewsignatureinn.com, from $172) offers a wow-worthy amenity—a personal grocery shopper.
Snowboarding in Vancouver, British Columbia Game Plan: Carve serious powder on Cypress Mountain, the same spot where freestyle skiing and snowboarding events were held during the 2010 Winter Games. Even the unathletic can feel like winners at BC Sports Hall of Fame's Vancouver 2010 Gallery, where visitors can stand on an actual medal ceremony podium and strike the ultimate Instagram-worthy pose. Don't forget to peek into BC Place, the stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies were held. Break Time: Nestled in a quiet residential street in downtown Vancouver just three blocks from the water taxi, the Sunset Inn & Suites (sunsetinn.com, from $85) features a fully equipped kitchen in each room and free continental breakfast. Watch seaplanes take off and land from most hotel room windows at the Fairmont Pacific Rim (fairmont.com/pacific-rim-vancouver, from $343).
Skiing in Lake Tahoe, California Game Plan: Flanked by rugged mountain terrain and home to 12 major ski resorts (the largest concentration in the country), Tahoe is a year-round draw. Squaw Valley's new SnoVentures Activity Zone has mini snowmobiles for kids ages 6 to 12 and tubing for all. Since the lake never freezes over, you can also kayak; Tahoe Eco Sports offers guided tours ($90) for beginners and rental gear for experienced paddlers. Break Time: Don't let the retro sign outside the Paradice Motel (paradicemoteltahoe.com, from $118) deter you—the rooms are comfy and cozy. The ski-in, ski-out condos at Red Wolf Lodge at Squaw Valley (redwolfsquaw.com, from $229 for a studio that sleeps four) are steps from Squaw Village's slopes, shops and restaurants. Originally published in the March 2014 issue of Family Circle magazine.
Northstar hosts unique international snow sculpture carvings event January 25, 2014 Carve Tahoe returns to Northstar California January 28 through February 2. San Francisco-based advertising, design and production company Hub Strategy brings this international snow sculpturecontest to North Lake Tahoe for the second year. Eight three-member teams from Canada, Finland/Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Mexico, California/The Netherlands, Tahoe/Truckee and Wisconsin will participate in the five-day competition, creating elaborate sculptures from 20-ton blocks of snow using only hand tools, snow and water. Snow sculpture events are extremely popular worldwide, with well-known events around the world. The snow carvers brave extreme conditions and work tirelessly creating pure, ephemeral sculptures that will last only a short time. Attendees can marvel at the creativity and ingenuity of the artists’ creations for free throughout the event. Sponsors include Finlandia Vodka, Sapporo Beer, Vail Resorts and North Lake Tahoe. Sculptures are best to view when they near completion, which takes place Thursday, through Sunday. On Friday each structure will be lit. “Don’t miss the lighting of the sculptures Friday night,” said Kathryn Keown, the Executive Director of Carve Tahoe. “We illuminate the sculptures with multi-colored lights and guests can watch as the carvers sculpt all night getting ready for judging on Saturday.” The event will once again be judged by Lawrence Noble, Chairman of the Academy of Art University Sculpture Department, known for sculptures and works of art including the legendary Yoda Fountain at the Letterman Digital Arts Center in the Presidio, San Francisco. “It will be a joy to return to Northstar and enjoy the carvers’ talent once again,” said Noble.
CEDAR HOUSE SPORT HOTEL OF LAKE TAHOE: SPORT- AND PET-FRIENDLY This beautiful hotel near Truckee is known for its outdoor tours and pet-friendly rooms By Christina Nellemann; published Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 The beautiful Cedar House Sport Hotel near the charming town of Truckee, CA, has made a name for itself not only for its interesting mountain architecture, but also for its award-winning restaurant and its in-house touring company that brings the Tahoe outdoors to its visitors. The Cedar House was built with both new and recycled materials. Its rooms are an eclectic mix of contemporary design and organic style, with the amenities you expect from a hotel in the Tahoe area. The 42-room hotel has several levels of accommodations that can include both budget-conscious and luxury travelers. All the rooms feature European bedding systems with luxurious linens and comforters, Egyptian cotton robes and towels and a complimentary breakfast for two. The ground floor rooms are available to visitors who bring their four-legged friends. Dogs are allowed for an extra cost of $50 for one dog and $75 for two dogs.
Dogs and their people are welcome on Tahoe Trails tours Photo Credit: Cedar House Sport Hotel Dogs are also allowed on the various tours available through the Cedar House with Tahoe Trips & Trails. The tours include ski and snowshoe tours, hiking and kayaking tours and even spa and yoga trips and tours. They take place in various locations on Lake Tahoe and other local lakes in the the Sierra mountains. The hotel is also a base for weddings and special events. The hotel can accommodate up to 100 guests with an environmentally-conscious atmosphere and food from Stella, the hotel's award-winning restaurant.
The casual and elegant dinners at Stella are served year-round Photo Credit: Cedar House Sport Hotel Stella features local and organic produce and meat. Chef Jacob Burton's menu features dishes ranging from ahi sashimi with haricoverts and boquerone emulsion, saffron potatoes and Moroccan lemon to petite rack of lamb with roasted acorn squash, toasted pecans and beet greens with rosemary-garlic jus. Stella is available for dinner, catering events and even cooking classes. Desserts include an amazing croissant bread pudding with br没l茅ed bananas, graham cracker, butterscotch and white chocolate. Dinners are available at Stella Wednesday through Sunday. Along with the seasonally inspired Stella and the outdoor tours, Cedar House celebrates the outdoors with its environmental impact. This green hotel features energy-efficient space and water heating systems; water-saving features like rain chains and retention ponds that keep water on the property and in the landscape; low voltage lighting; cellulose insulation; and a green roof full of native plants and grasses. All the exterior siding and logs at Cedar House came from a local re-forestation project, and they give the hotel its rustic but elegant design.
January 22, 2014
Here’s where we ski/ride closest to Carson City While I more usually writing about things for Carson seniors, sometimes I like to branch out and comment on politics and sports such as skiing and hiking. Now that ski season is fully with us and all Tahoe resorts spinning their bull wheels, I’d like to share my experiences in skiing and 15 resorts, one all in one day. Let’s start with resorts closest to us at Carson City: Diamond Peak, Mt. Rose and Heavenly. Each has its special term and challenge. Diamond Peak in in the posh Incline Village on Lake Tahoe. It is run by the village and doesn’t seek tourist skiers or boarders; this is a traditional resort which only wants to satisfy the locals. That means the crowds are modest and mostly Incline Villagers and friends. Lift tickets are about the less expensive around the lake, $59-67. There’s a fine beginners lift and run right outside the lodge, and the quad chair takes riders to the peak. Runs can be challenging or easy, up to you. And the ski/board school really is fun for kids, it’s not out to make a lot of moon. Many of my friends have enrolled their kids there. Parking is good, get there early and you can walk right up to the ticket booth. Phone (775)832-1177, email www.diamondpeak.com Mt. Rose boasts the highest base around Tahoe as well as a wide variety of runs, some really challenging like the Chutes. But it also have all levels of fun trials, the ones on the back pleasant touring. The front runs face the main lodge, while those on Slide Mountain side are served by a qud chair an the River Lodge with its great view of Washoe Valley. Ski school here is fine and Rusty Crook used to hold Saturday group lessons preceded by frill lunch at the lodge bar. Rusty’s retired after more than 50 years of teaching (he helped prepare Mt. Rose as an alternate site for the 1960 Olympics which were saved by a surprise snow storm).
Lunch on the deck at either lodge offers a nice view of skiers and riders skimming the snow with a fine beginner are nearby. The Bowl on the front side of the resort is an intermediate’s delight, the Chutes only for experts. Two parking areas, one serving the Slide Mountain side, the other at the top about 500 yards farther up the hill. Incidentally, Mt. Rose ski area isn’t on Mt. Rose; that peak is adjoining. Phone (775) 849-0704, email www.skirose.com. Which brings us to Heavenly Mountain Resort, which straddles California and Nevada. Four base areas for this gigantic mountain resort: Calbase in South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Village/Gondola in Stagecoach/South Lake Tahoe; Boulder lodge/ski school in Nevada; and Stagecoach lodge/area in Nevada. Having taught skiing there for several years, it’s hardly surprising that it’s favorite Tahoe ski and riding area. I worked at the Boulder are, then pretty much a backwater for Heavenly, with Boulder lodge at the base and the big East Peak lodge halfway up the hill. All the bases offer parking ($10 at the Gondola). The resort is basically two resorts, Nevada and California. Cal side tends to be more crowded, with Nevada offering a wide range of trail levels. Killebrew and Mott canyons are in Nevada; they are expert only runs and and served by lifts from the Milky Way bowl. Heavenly is so big and varied it’s near impossible to describe it all. The Gondola, starting in the Village, has an observation deck two-thirds of the way up, get off see Lake Tahoe in winter splendor, hop back on and get off at 9,136 feet, warm up at the Tamarack lodge and pick your fun. I’ve always enjoyed taking the Olympic Downhill from the top to the Boulder Lodge, knee-burning notwithstanding. Just a nice advanced blue run, leading back to Boulder base. There’s a big ski/ride school at Calbase, smaller one a Boulder and another at the top of Adventure Peak, off the Gondola. As at all Tahoe resorts, ski and board instructors at members of the union, Professional Ski Instructors of America. Phone (800) 432-8365, email skiheavenly.com. Heavenly is owned by Vail Resorts. I don’t do the bumps or black runs anymore with my iron knee, but I do love all of Heavenly, as well as Diamond Peak and Mt. Rose and … let’s save Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl for next time. Sam Bauman writes an online-only column about skiing for the Nevada Appeal
2-week mountain festival on North Shore PUBLISHED: JANUARY 18, 2014 BY: ADMIN, IN: OUTDOOR & SPORTS,
The first winter edition of the Alpenglow Mountain Festival is Feb. 14-March 2. The two-week festival is a celebration of human-powered events, clinics, presentations, film and more. Participants may Nordic ski, backcountry ski, snowshoe and partake in natural history excursions. The festival has been designed to inspire participants to enjoy and explore North Lake Tahoe’s playground with friends and family. Alpenglow Mountain Festival is geared toward beginner and intermediate winter recreation enthusiasts, offering a range of activities for all interests and ability levels. The majority of events are free and space is limited. Participants are encouraged to register online in advance.
United States January 10, 2014
Things to Do in Lake Tahoe Tucked between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe has it all. On the North Shore enjoy world-class skiing; in South Tahoe try your luck at a casino. By the time this trip’s over, everyone’s happy.
Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort Hit the slopes at Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort. With 65 trails, and 121 miles of skiable terrain, the property is the largest cross-country ski resort in all of North America. Find it in Soda Springs, CA, roughly 45 minutes from Lake Tahoe.
MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa For a little gambling fun, head to MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa. Nestled on the Nevada side of South Lake Tahoe, the resort doubles as a casino and health spa, where you can indulge in saunas, whirlpools and eucalyptus steam rooms. The resort is also a great place to catch a live show
Diamond Peak Ski Resort
Diamond Peak Ski Resort Find more epic views of Lake Tahoe at Diamond Peak. The resort, on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, boasts family-friendly packages that won't break the bank: Families can save on rental equipment, transfer season passes from other ski resorts at a discounted rate and, for the adults, enjoy wine or craft beers paired with appetizers. Slopes range from mild to extreme.
Paddle Boarding on Lake Tahoe Come summer, rent a stand up paddleboard and paddle around the perimeter of Lake Tahoe. You’ll get in some good exercise: The lake is the 27th largest lake (by volume) in the world, with a perimeter that stretches 72 miles long.
Burger Me Grab a burger and onion rings at Burger Me. This family-owned-and-operated burger joint in nearby Truckee, CA, serves everything fresh and made to order. Hearty options include the “Dirty Bird� (made with 5-oz. free-range chicken) and a good ole hamburger, except this one grass-fed, with no antibiotics. Fast food just got a little healthier.
Hiking (Tahoe Rim Trail) Lace up your boots for a hike along Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile-long hiking trail that forms a loop around Lake Tahoe. Other great hikes include Bayview Trail, a 4- to 5-mile-long trail for experienced hikers, southwest of Lake Tahoe; and Eagle Falls Trail, a family-friendly, 1.5-mile hike in Tahoma, CA, located right by Lake Tahoe.
Vikingsholm Find this 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe. Built in 1929, Vikingsholm is one of the best examples of Scandinavian architecture not just in America but in the entire Western Hemisphere; among its striking features are round granite boulders fixed in mortar, something commonly found in stone churches and castles built in the 11th century in southern Sweden.
Resort at Squaw Creek The kids will love the Resort at Squaw Creek. This luxury ski resort in Lake Tahoe offers a host of family activities, from snowshoeing and sledding to ice skating in the resort’s outdoor exhibition rink, where you’ll find the Sierra Nevada mountain range just beyond. Ask about Mountain Buddies, a supervised outdoors program for kids 4 to 12.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Bed down for the night at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort. With a spa, casino and 500 feet of private lakefront beach, this AAA Four Diamond-property is on the pricier side, but if it’s alpine lodge luxury you seek, you’ll find it here. The 421 guestrooms, including 24 lakeside cottages, come decorated with natural pine, distressed wood and leather furnishings.
Franciscan Lakeside Lodge For something a bit more on the budget-friendly side, try the Franciscan Lakeside Lodge. Located on Lake Tahoe’s north shore, the property is home to lakefront and lakeside cottages, in a relaxed setting. Stroll along the nearby beach and take in the Tahoe sunset, or kick back in an Adirondack chair on your very own deck or porch.
Homewood Mountain Ski Resort Enjoy ski runs with epic views of Lake Tahoe at Homewood Mountain Ski Resort. This ski area, on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, comprises 1,260 acres of skiable terrain and 8 lifts. Among
Homewood’s 64 runs, experienced skiers will want to try “Rainbow Ridge” -- at 2 miles long, it’s the resort’s longest run.
Emerald Bay Located on the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay State Park features the Scandinavian-style Vikingsholm mansion; California’s first underwater shipwreck park (scuba-dive to see this final resting place of many boats, launches and barges, used in the lake before the turn of the century); and Fannette Island, the only island in all of Lake Tahoe. Get here by boat; spots 6 and 21 are the best places to dock.
Gar Woods Grill and Pier Dig into the daily seafood special at Gar Woods Grill and Pier. The waterfront restaurant, nestled in Carnelian Bay in North Lake Tahoe, features a menu of hand-cut steaks, fresh Pacific seafood and the famous “Wet Woody” (ask the waiter). The restaurant’s large deck and balconies, meanwhile, offer great views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierras.
M.S. Dixie Sunset Cruise On the Nevada side of the river, hop aboard the 520-passenger, M.S. Dixie II -- the largest cruising vessel in South Lake Tahoe that’s been voted the “Best Cruise in Nevada” by localNevada Magazine. In North Lake Tahoe, hop aboard Tahoe Gal for a leisurely ride to Emerald Bay.
No Fun in the Sun Winter Vacations for These Celebs… They’d Rather Hit the Slopes! Lake Tahoe Snow Trees Photo: Jeff Dow 1/10/2014 If the polar vortex is any indication, we are deep in the throws of winter! The 2° F wake-up temperature yesterday had us at Pblcty itching for a getaway. What to do? At Pblcty we all voted to go for a warm weather retreat filled with sun and sand! But we thought…what are the favorite Winter Vacation destinations of Celebrities? So we polled 100+ Celebrities to find out just that! We were shocked to find that a majority embrace the cold and envelope themselves in the winter season by heading for the hills to hone their “snow skills!” Pop Star, Asher Monroe, summed it up: “there’s nothing better than skiing on Christmas Day through the snowy mountains.” Since Celebs can’t seem to stay away from the slopes; we want you to know their favorite ski destinations so you can add these mountains into your near or distant future travel plans! Not only will you love the scenery, landscape and ambiance of each of these destinations, but if you love Celebrity sightings then these markets will have you in for a treat! Here is the Top 10 List from our poll! It’s no secret that Colorado is a ski destination heavy-hitter; constantly attracting the elite jet set. Aspen, with it’s great runs, near perfect snow fall and small town ambiance, topped our list and is frequented by tons of Celebrities including Singer Mary C, Bravo Reality Star Amy Poliakoff, and Amy Phelan. Of course, plenty of other top US Ski Destinations were part of our Top 10 List. Take a look at who cast the first ballot (listed alphabetically): - Breckenridge from former “Bachelor” Star, Vienna Girardi - Jackson Hole is a favorite for Bravo Personality and Matchmaker Amy Laurent and she highly recommends a stay at the Teton Mountain Lodge http://tetonlodge.com/ - Lake Tahoe: Kinky Boots Broadway Star, Lena Hall, enjoys the snow there but has never had the courage to ski! We have faith in her! - Pioneer Mountain in Big Sky Montana where Asher Monroe enjoys his Christmas mornings… And in the US it’s not only about the Rockies as two east coast destinations also garnered votes: - Maine’s Sugarloaf voted on by Pblcty Founder, Ryan David Saniuk, as it was the first mountain he ‘conquered’ as a kid! - Vermont’s NorthEast’s Stratton Mountain is preferred by Actress, Melissa Erico
Of course, Celebrities didn’t forget to put the spotlight on some of the best international ski resorts in the Swiss Alps, Canada, and France: - Gstaad received its first vote from Lauren Rae Levy - Racer Ben Collins gave the most emphatic vote when he said, “easy Val D’Isere” -
Whistler is the destination of choice by model and “Real Housewife of Miami” star, Joanna Krupa
Clearly there’s something to a great snow vacation - must be along the lines of perfect runs, great powder, camaraderie at the lodge, and sipping hot “cocoa” in front of a roaring fire. This staff member has been transformed from her beach desire and is ready to give the skiing experience a whirl!
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month being offered by most Lake Tahoe ski resorts January 8, 2014
Most of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts are offering deals to encourage people of all ages to become a skier or rider in Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, a national push by all ski regions Here are some of the offerings from Lake Tahoe ski resorts for Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Homewood Mountain Resort takes Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month to a whole new level by encouraging beginners all season long. Get a lift ticket, rentals and lesson for $49 online the day before hitting the slopes. This package is a $40 savings, available Sunday-Friday. Homewood also offers free intermediate and advanced lessons at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily. Sugar Bowl is also offering Learn to Ski and Ride Development program throughout the entire season for $89-$99. This is a full day event that operates on both sides of the mountain, even on holidays. With a 3:1 student to instructor ratio, beginners are sure to conquer their goals. Boreal Mountain Resort is offering a Take 3, Ride Free program that’s hard to pass up. Take three lessons between Jan. 6 and Feb. 14 and receive a free season pass. The $129 online only package provides rental equipment for each 90-minute lesson with a professional instructor. Diamond Peak encourages snow play with First Time Beginner and Beginner Group Lesson Packages during the week of Jan. 13-17. Purchase a $39 package that includes a lesson, rental equipment and an all day beginner lift ticket. These one-hour 45-minute lessons are great for everyone age four and up who have had two or fewer snow sport experiences. Tahoe-Donner Downhill Ski Area beginners are sure to excel at the uncrowded resort. First timers receive an all day lift ticket, rentals and two-hour group lesson for $39 from Jan. 6-10 and 13-16. The Cross Country Ski Center will also feature Learn to Ski packages for those looking to try cross-country skiinginstead of downhill. Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows are offering Learn to Ski or Snowboard every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from January 14-30. For $49 beginners receive a beginner lift ticket, rentals and lessons for adults and kids age 3+.
Granlibakken ski hill has the perfect balance between learning slopes and downhill thrills. There is a ski school for first-timers and people looking to fine-tune skills. With rentals and both full and half-day tickets, snow sport enthusiasts of all levels will enjoy themselves. Mt. Rose will offer lessons for aspiring skiers and boarders looking for deals all season long. The mountain offers an $89 First Timer Package that includes a two-hour lesson, beginner lift ticket and rental equipment. This is a great opportunity for beginners, ages 11-above, to get a feel for the mountain throughout the winter. For more packages and information on Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, check out Â
Back to: NORTH SHORE January 8, 2014
Lake Tahoe Wedding Faire to showcase venues, vendors TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. — Squaw Valley and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association invite brides-to-be to the Lake Tahoe Wedding Faire at Squaw Valley on Saturday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. North Lake Tahoe offers some of the most stunning wedding venues in the country. At the Wedding Faire, future brides can meet and mingle with local business owners who can provide everything brides need to create the wedding of their dreams. The event will host a wide range of bakeries, florists, musicians, photo booths, photographers, venues, event coordinators and wedding rentals. “We wanted to host this Wedding Faire to make it as easy as possible for brides to see all of what Squaw Valley and North Lake Tahoe have to offer,” said Jessica Greenleaf, Squaw Valley’s wedding and banquet sales manager. “I really believe there is no better place for a wedding.” This event will feature interactive bridal activities and will offer brides a chance to meet vendors face to face and secure their services for their weddings In addition to a great list of vendors, the Wedding Faire will feature a raffle with some great prizes. Interested brides-to-be can register for the event at http://squaw.com/things-to-do/eventscalendar/lake-tahoe-wedding-faire. Admission to the event is free and includes free champagne. The first 100 people to register will be entered to win a special selection of elite raffle prizes.
January 8, 2014
Olympic Heritage Celebration returns Organizers of an annual series of events to highlight Lake Tahoe’s Olympic history face similar circumstances as the organizers of the 1960 Winter Games at Squaw Valley — an unusually dry start to the winter season. Like promoters of the 1960 games, organizers of this year’s Olympic Heritage Celebration will bring in tribal dancers to encourage additional snowfall for the Lake Tahoe Region. The Eagle Wing Dancers were one of the highlights of 2012’s Olympic Heritage Celebration and are sure to be again this year, said Heidi Doyle, executive director of the Sierra State Parks Foundation, one of the sponsors for the Olympic Heritage Celebration, now in its fourth year. The series of events include several meet and greets with local Olympians, displays of Olympic memorabilia and tours of places where Olympic events took place, including a trail network on the West Shore. People can try out their shooting skills during the celebration’s Citizens Against the Clock event, where participants use electronic rifles to test out their accuracy at the biathlon. The Citizens Against the Clock event is one part of the celebration that will likely be altered due to the lack of snow. Snow or no snow, the celebration will go on. The Olympic Heritage Celebration concludes Jan. 19 with the premiere of “Cusp of Glory” at Squaw Valley’s Plaza Bar at 7 p.m. “The film, almost two years in the making, includes a brief introduction by Olympic gold medalist, Jonny Moseley, and is narrated by three-time Olympian and two-time medalist, Shannon Bahrke,” according to a press release from filmmakers. “Cusp of Glory tells the compelling story of four intimately connected freestyle skiers, who are Olympic hopefuls – K.C. Oakley (moguls), Brita Sigourney and David Wise (ski halfpipe) and Shannon’s younger brother, Scotty Bahrke (aerials), who competed in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.” Each of the athletes featured in the film had the same childhood coach, Clay Beck, who died in a plane crash in 2008. “Cusp of Glory is an uplifting tribute to Coach Clay’s legacy and the Olympic spirit and will entertain and inspire audiences of all ages with its story of triumph-over-tragedy,” according to the release.
More information can be found at http://cuspofglory.com/premiere. Olympic Heritage Celebration activities: Saturday, Jan. 11 Opening Ceremonies and snow dance Sugar Pine Point State Park Free events, parking fee applies 11:30 a.m.: Lighting of a symbolic caldron and Olympian welcome 11:45 a.m.: Dedication and celebration by Eagle Wing Dancers 12:30 p.m.: Olympian meet and greet 12:45 p.m.: Guided tour of the Olympic Snow Trails (hiking boots and layered clothing recommended) Monday, Jan. 13 Olympian meet and greet Tahoe City Visitor Center at the corner of Highway 89 and State Route 28 5-7 p.m.: A free meet and greet with Olympians Daron Rahives, Adam Hostetter and Joe Pete Wilson. Authors Dave Antonucci and Eddy Ancinas will sign books and share Olympic tales from the region. Thursday, Jan. 16 Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics open house Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Meet and greet with Olympians and refreshments. The event will include a special display of 1960 Olympic memorabilia. Friday, Jan. 17 Nordic Legends Dinner at Granlibakken Resort, Tahoe City
5:30-8 p.m.: A fundraiser for the Sierra State Parks Foundation to support the Olympic Snow Trails at Sugar Pine Point State Park. The night will conclude with a $100 raffle for a dinner for 24 at the Ehrman Mansion valued at $8,000. Reservations for the Nordic Legends Dinner should be made at 530-583-4242. Saturday, Jan. 18 Citizens Against the Clock Sugar Pine Point State Park, West Shore Free event, parking fee applies. 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Sierra State Parks Foundation will set up a short loop course with electronic rifles on a portion of the same biathlon trail used by the athletes of the 1960 Winter Olympics to allow the whole family to test their shooting skills. Saturday, Jan. 18 Full Moon Hike at Sugar Pine Point State Park 6:30 p.m.: Park guides will lead people though the historic Hellman-Ehrman Estate and share local history tidbits. The hike is suitable for beginners. Warm, layered clothing and a flashlight are recommended. Snowshoe rental, park entrance and the guided tour are $25. Kids under 12 are free. Reservations are required at West Shore Sports, 530-525-9920. Sunday, Jan. 19 Squaw Valley Day Time TBA: Mighty Mites race down Exhibition, ending with them carrying Olympic flags 12 p.m.: Olympic Heritage Walking Tour with David Antonucci. Meet in front of the 1960 dedication plaque in front of the cable car in the Village. Free. 1-4 p.m.: Live music on the KT Deck with the Nibblers. Free. 7 p.m.: “Cusp of Glory� movie premiere in the Plaza Bar Source: Sierra State Parks Foundation
January 8, 2014
Lake Tahoe Wedding Faire to showcase venues, vendors TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. — Squaw Valley and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association invite brides-to-be to the Lake Tahoe Wedding Faire at Squaw Valley on Saturday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. North Lake Tahoe offers some of the most stunning wedding venues in the country. At the Wedding Faire, future brides can meet and mingle with local business owners who can provide everything brides need to create the wedding of their dreams. The event will host a wide range of bakeries, florists, musicians, photo booths, photographers, venues, event coordinators and wedding rentals. “We wanted to host this Wedding Faire to make it as easy as possible for brides to see all of what Squaw Valley and North Lake Tahoe have to offer,” said Jessica Greenleaf, Squaw Valley’s wedding and banquet sales manager. “I really believe there is no better place for a wedding.” This event will feature interactive bridal activities and will offer brides a chance to meet vendors face to face and secure their services for their weddings In addition to a great list of vendors, the Wedding Faire will feature a raffle with some great prizes. Interested brides-to-be can register for the event at http://squaw.com/things-to-do/eventscalendar/lake-tahoe-wedding-faire. Admission to the event is free and includes free champagne. The first 100 people to register will be entered to win a special selection of elite raffle prizes.
Howelsen Hill Ski Area in Steamboat Springs first-ever U.S. ski resort January 6, 2014 Skiing had its U.S. start in 1915 at a Colorado resort that is fairly obscure these days. Howelsen Hill Ski Area is located across the Yampa River from downtown Steamboat Springs. Howelsen Hill still exists, but most people headed for a day on the slopes are skiing or snowboarding at famed Steamboat Springs, which made its debut 48 years later in 1963, along with 17 other first-year resorts. Most California skiers and riders probably believe that Sugar Bowl was the state’s first ski resort. But Granlibakken Ski Area was the Golden State’s inaugural ski resort, arriving in 1927. Eight years later, Soda Springs got its start, while Sugar Bowl didn’t come along until 1939. Below is a list of U.S. ski resorts and the year they started. The list of 354 American ski resorts is courtesy of the National Ski Areas Association. 1915 Howelsen Hill Ski Area CO: 1922 Eaglebrook School MA: 1927 Granlibakken Ski Area CA: Cooper Spur Mountain Resort OR 1928 Mt. Hood Skibowl OR 1932 Seven Springs Mountain Resort PA Bousquet Ski Area MA 1933
Wildcat Mountain Ski Area & Summer Gondola NH 1934 Stowe Mountain Resort VT Gore Mountain NY Pico Mountain VT 1935 Soda Springs Ski Area CA Lookout Pass Ski Area ID Black Mountain Ski Area NH DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. CA 1936 Bromley Mountain Resort VT Brighton Ski Resort UT Showdown Montana MT Terry Peak Ski Area SD Blandford Ski Area MA Sun Valley Resort ID Beaver Mountain Ski Area UT Sleeping Giant Ski Area WY Mount Peter Ski Area NY 1937 Timberline Lodge & Ski Area OR The Summit At Snoqualmie WA Snow Valley Mountain Resort CA Loveland Ski Area CO Sandia Peak Ski Area NM Stevens Pass WA Gunstock Mountain Resort NH Mountain High Resort CA Suicide Six Ski Area VT Granite Peak at Rib Mountain State Park WI Mt. Zion MI Cranmore Mountain Resort NH 1938 Hoodoo Ski Area OR Alta Ski Area UT
Pine Mountain MI Cannon Mountain NH Shawnee Peak Ski Area ME Arizona Snowbowl AZ Wilmot Mountain WI Lost Trail Ski Area, Inc. MT Abenaki Ski Area NH Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park WA 1939 Sugar Bowl Resort CA Monarch Mountain CO Middlebury College Snow Bowl VT Ski Ward Ski Area MA Snow King Resort WY Otsego Ski Club MI Catamount Ski Area NY Camden Snow Bowl ME 1940 Winter Park Resort CO 1941 Snowbasin Resort Co. UT Willamette Pass Resort OR 1942 Ski Cooper CO 1944 Pajarito Mountain Ski Area NM Snowhaven ID 1945 Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley AZ Anthony Lakes OR Snow Ridge Ski Resort NY Sky Tavern NV 1946 Bear Mountain Resort CA Arapahoe Basin CO Otis Ridge MA
1947 Aspen Mountain CO Boyne Mountain Resort MI Ski Santa Fe NM Mohawk Mountain Ski Area CT Big Boulder Ski Area PA Whitefish Mountain Resort MT Swain Resort NY 1948 Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort MA Mount Sunapee Resort NH Bradford Ski Area MA Mad River Glen VT Mont Du Lac Recreation WI Lutsen Mountains MN Soldier Mountain Ski Area ID Oak Mountain NY 1949 Squaw Valley Resort, LLC CA Snow Snake Ski & Golf MI Buena Vista Ski Area MN Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area MI Pebble Creek Ski Area ID Belleayre Mountain NY 1950 Dodge Ridge Wintersports Area CA Trollhaugen Winter Recreation Area WI Hillberg Ski Area AK 1951 Sugarloaf ME 1952 Snow Summit Mountain Resort CA Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort NM Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts, Inc. CA Oglebay Resort WV 1953
White Pass Ski Area WA Donner Ski Ranch CA Mt. Baker WA 1954 Mount Snow Resort VT Buck Hill MN 1955 Taos Ski Valley, Inc. NM Mammoth CA Heavenly Mountain Resort NV Okemo Mountain Resort VT Hidden Valley Resort PA Bridger Bowl Ski Area MT Jay Peak Ski Resort VT 1956 Smugglers’ Notch Resort VT Crystal Mountain MI Dartmouth Skiway NH Burke Mountain Ski Area VT Mt. Holly Ski Resort, Inc. MI Wisp Resort MD Ski Brule MI 1957 Holiday Valley Resort NY Holiday Mountain Ski Area NY Greek Peak Mountain Resort NY Solitude Mountain Resort UT 1958 Aspen Highlands CO Buttermilk CO Killington Resort VT Whiteface NY Mt. Bachelor, Inc. OR Sugarbush Resort VT Tyrol Basin Ski & Snowboard Area WI Nub’s Nob Ski Area MI
China Peak Mountain Resort CA Loup Loup Ski Area WA Hurricane Ridge Ski Area WA Plattekill Mountain NY 1959 The Homestead Ski Area VA Chestnut Mountain Resort IL Sunday River Ski Resort ME Mt. La Crosse WI Red River Ski Area, Inc. NM Elk Mountain Ski Resort, Inc. PA Indianhead Mountain MI Hunter Mountain NY McCauley Mtn. Ski Center NY Alyeska Resort AK Thunder Ridge Ski Area NY Magic Mountain Ski Area VT Snowy Range Ski & Recreation Area WY Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area MN Big Rock Mountain ME 1960 Windham Mountain NY Saddleback Maine ME Mt. Abram Resort ME Red Lodge Mountain Resort MT Black Mountain of Maine ME 1961 Snow Trails OH Breckenridge Ski Resort CO Alpine Meadows Ski Resort CA Lost Valley Ski Area ME Cataloochee Ski Area NC Brundage Mountain Resort ID Hogadon Ski Area WY Mt. Crescent Ski Area IA Timber Ridge Ski Area MI
Montana Snowbowl MT Ski Apache Resort NM 1962 Crested Butte Mountain Resort CO King Pine Ski Area NH Stratton VT Vail Mountain CO Crystal Mountain, Inc. WA Eldora Mountain Resort CO Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort TN Appalachian Ski Mtn. NC Powder Ridge Ski Area MN Homewood Mountain Resort CA Cascade Mountain WI Mad River Mountain OH Alpine Valley Ski Area MI Wachusett Mountain Ski Area MA Ski Gull, Inc. MN Song Mountain Resort NY HoliMont Ski Area NY Alpine Valley Ski Area OH 1963 Steamboat Ski & Resort CO Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort OH Camelback Mountain Resort PA Park City Mountain Resort UT Schweitzer Mountain Resort Afton Alps Ski Area MN Pomerelle Mountain Resort ID Ski Butternut MA Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort NV Alpine Valley Resort WI Grand Geneva Resort WI Clear Fork Resort OH Pats Peak NH Big Horn Ski Resort WY
Elk Ridge Ski & Outdoor Recreation Area AZ Blue Knob PA Arrowhead Recreation Area NH 1964 Boyne Highlands Resort MI Boreal Mountain Resort CA Hermitage Club @ Haystack VT Ragged Mountain Resort NH Attitash Mountain Resort NH Peek ‘n Peak Resort NY Roundtop Mountain Resort PA Bristol Mountain Winter Resort NY Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe NV Hawksnest Resort NC Mount Southington Ski Area CT Nashoba Valley Ski Area MA Sapphire Valley Ski Area NC Mt. Ashland OR Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Water Park RI 1965 Durango Mountain Resort CO Welch Village Ski Area, Inc. MN Liberty Mountain Resort PA Bryce Resort VA Brian Head Resort UT Cannonsburg Ski Area MI Boyce Park Ski Area/Snow Tubing Area PA Lake City Ski Hill CO Mountain Creek NJ 1966 Loon Mountain Recreation Corp. NH Waterville Valley Resort NH Diamond Peak Ski Resort NV Jackson Hole Mountain Resort WY Balsams Wilderness NH Angel Fire Resort NM
Hunt Hollow Ski Area NY Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort WA Bolton Valley VT Villa Olivia Ski Area IL Apple Mountain MI Sunlight Mountain Resort CO Powderhorn Resort CO Campgaw Mountain Ski Area NJ 1967 Snowmass CO Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort OR Bear Valley Mountain CA Beech Mountain Resort NC 1968 Sierra-at-Tahoe Snowsports Resort CA Silver Mountain Ski and Year Round Waterpark Resort! ID Swiss Valley Ski & Board Area MI Canyons Resort UT 1969 Shanty Creek Resorts MI Sugar Mountain Ski Area NC Ski Sundown CT Grand Targhee Resort WY Bear Creek Mountain Resort PA Ski Sawmill Family Resort PA Wolf Ridge Ski Resort NC Proctor Ski Area NH Great Bear Ski Valley SD Sundance UT 1970 Keystone Resort CO Ausblick Ski Area WI Sunrise Park Resort AZ Christmas Mountain Village WI Wolf Mountain Ski Resort LLC UT Mystic Miner Ski Resort SD
1971 Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort CA Canaan Valley Resort WV Devil’s Head Resort & Convention Center WI Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort UT 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort WA Cloudmont Ski & Golf AL Quechee Ski Area VT McIntyre Ski Area NH 1971 Mount Pleasant of Edinboro PA Copper Mountain Resort CO 1972 Northstar California CA 1972 1972 Tahoe Donner Ski Area CA Kirkwood Mountain Resort CA Telluride Ski & Golf Resort CO Jack Frost Mountain PA Wild Mountain MN Powder Mountain UT Highlands of Olympia WI Eastman Cross Country NH Woodbury Ski Area CT 1973 Massanutten Ski Resort VA Bretton Woods Ski Area NH Discovery Ski Area MT 1974 Sundown Mountain Ski and Snowboard Resort IA Spirit Mountain Recreation Area MN Snowshoe WV Big Sky Resort MT Mt. Eyak Ski Area AK Pocono Ranch Lands Property Owners PA 1975 Wintergreen Resort VA Shawnee Mountain Ski Area PA
The Hidden Valley Club NJ Mount Lakeridge Ski & Board Center CT 1976 Eaglecrest Ski Area AK Alta Sierra Ski Resort & Terrain Park CA Nordic Mountain Ski Area WI Ski Big Bear PA Frost Fire Ski & Snowboard Area ND 1977 Blue Mountain Ski Area PA 1978 Paoli Peaks, Inc. IN Mount Kato Ski Area MN 1980 Beaver Creek Resort CO Titus Mountain Family Ski Center, LLC NY 1981 Tussey Mountain Ski Area PA Andes Tower Hills, Inc. MN Ski Bluewood WA Ski Snowstar Winter Sports Park IL Perfect North Slopes IN Deer Valley Resort Company UT Fernwood Resort and C.C. PA 1982 Ski Granby Ranch CO Triple M-Mystical Mountain NM Hidden Valley Ski Area MO 1983 Timberline Four Seasons Resort WV Winterplace Ski Resort WV The Homestead MI Hilltop Ski Area AK 1984 Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort MN Alpine Mountain Ski & Ride Center PA
SNO Mountain PA 1985 Sunburst Ski Area WI Mt. Shasta Ski Park CA 1986 The Rock Ski & Snowboard Park WI Snow Creek Ski Area MO 1991 Whitetail Resort PA Huff Hills Ski Area ND Polar Peak Ski Bowl NY 1995 Mystic Mountain/Nemacolin Woodlands PA 1997 Eagle Rock Ski Area PA Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Inc. IA Yellowstone Mountain Club MT 1998 Double H Ranch NY 2000 Mount Bohemia MI Deer Crest Home Owners Association Private Trails UT 2001 Bear Creek Mountain Club VT Silverton Mountain CO 2003 Moonlight Basin MT Granite Gorge Ski Area NH Crotched Mountain Ski & Ride NH 2004 Tamarack Resort ID 2007 Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center at Sterling Forest NY 2009 Liberty Mountain SnowFlex Centre VA Xanadu SnowPark
2010 c/o Select Contracts NJ Eagle Point Resort UT 2011 Hawk Island Snow Park MI Whitetail Ridge Ski Area WI Teton Pass Ski Area MT Maple Ski Ridge NY Saw Creek Estates Community Association, Inc. PA Angeles Crest Resorts CA Snow Mountain Ranch CO Frisco Adventure Park CO “Tubes “”R”" Us Cisco Grove & Kingvale” CA Theodore Wirth Winter Recreation Area MN
Lake Tahoe's Granlibakken an affordable winter playground for families January 5, 2014 Never heard of Granlibakken? That’s not surprising. Drive too swiftly along scenic Highway 89 on Tahoe’s scenic west shore and it’s easy to overlook the road that heads into this historic Norwegian-like village. Occupying 74 beautifully wooded acres in this picturesque mountain valley, Granlibakken is located a half-mile from Tahoe City. It provides a link to the past, a reminder that some ski hills were once small in stature and remain devoid of the sophistication that typifies today’s mega resorts. Although its hill is extremely modest and barely garners a mention among Lake Tahoe’s many famed ski resorts, for several decades Granlibakken was known as the only winter playground in the entire Lake Tahoe basin. Granlibakken hosted 1932 Olympic Trials In 1929, seven-time Norwegian ski jumping champion Lars Haugen designed a ski jump hill at what’s now known as Granlibakken, clearing an area of trees and establishing a 60-meter jump that became known as Olympic Hill. The hill quickly gained fame and hosted the Olympic Trials and the U.S. Championships in 1932. Granlibakken was the first official ski resort in the Tahoe basin, where two years later in 1949, Squaw Valley had its modest beginnings. Great place for snow play Today, Granlibakken still sports a ski hill, but it’s more suited for snow play than skiing or snowboarding. A lone tow rope carries people to the top of a small hill for the quick downhill trek. On the opposite side of the ski slope, a sledding area receives much more attention. “Granlibakken is really a family-friendly place,” said Heather Himmelmann, who has visited Granlibakken several times with her husband and young daughter. “It’s a great beginner hill for my daughter. She’s taken lessons here and keeps making good progress each year. The price is right and we really enjoy our stay.”
Family-friendly prices More serious skiers and riders use Granlibakken for a convenient lodging location they can book for a bargain price. An interchangeable lift ticket costs $150 per person and provides lodging at Granlibakken and extremely generous buffet breakfast, plus choice of a lift ticket at Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Northstar, Heavenly, Mt. Rose or Sugar Bowl. A Homewood Package is $113 per person and includes lodging, breakfast, and shuttle to Homewood. While serving as a serene, isolated place for families to vacation, Granlibakken is an even bigger lure as a conference destination. With more than 200 rooms and conference space for an estimated 500 people, Granlibakken year-round destination Granlibakken hosts numerous groups year round, ranging from ski clubs to international academic organizations that seek a secluded getaway in an inspiring area. “In the winter we’re in the ski business, but we’re in the conference business all year round,” notes Kay Williams, Granlibakken’s resort manager. “We’re not a Holiday Inn. You get treated to a real experience here. Granlibakken is a beautiful location and we treat you like a member of the family.” Granlibakken guests can ski and sled all day for $15. The outdoor heated pool and hot tub-sauna area are open year round. The popular Pub restaurant will open Dec. 20 for the season. Both the Pub and the Cedar Creek restaurant are open weekends and holidays. Treetop Adventure Park The Treetop Adventure Park course is situated on the Granlibakken property and participants climb to an initial starting point on a tree platform, then travel through the forest on an aerial trek anywhere from 15 to 50 feet in the air. The park is comprised of a series of courses, linking tree platform to tree platform with a variety of bridges and zip lines. Ages 5-and-above are eligible to experience the Adventure Park. Cost is $28 for children 5-12 and $45 for ages 13-above. There are two daily sessions that last approximately 2½ hours; times are 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 1-3:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Visiting Granlibakken has become tradition for Bonnie Zweben of El Cerrito, who was married at this picturesque mountain valley in 2004. Last February she was enjoying a
snow weekend with her two children – Taylor, 6, and Brady, 4, and friends from San Francisco. “The kids really enjoy all the things you can do at Granlibakken” Zweben said. “The price here is reasonable, more than at other places. We have a kitchen in our room, bring groceries, and once we arrive we never have to leave the property. This is a great place to vacation both winter and summer.” For more information on Granlibakken, visit www.granlibakken.comor call 800 5433221.
January 4, 2014
Snow making saving the season right now for Lake Tahoe ski resorts Due to a lack of natural snow thus far, snow making has been relied on more than usual by Lake Tahoe’s 14 ski resorts, which were all open by the middle of December. One might say that snow-making is saving the Lake Tahoe ski industry right now. The snow making, combined with mostly cold temperatures in December, salvaged what could have been a horrible holiday season for Lake Tahoe ski resorts. The Christmas holidays are typically the busiest time of year for Tahoe resorts. The Lake Tahoe basin’s snowpack is only 37 percent of average for the date, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. Dry conditions were matched with cold temperatures, allowing the Lake Tahoe ski resorts to use snow making equipment to open substantial terrain for the busy holiday period. “We had some real strong windows that allowed us to make a ton of snow,” said Mike Pierce, marketing director at Mount Rose ski resort said in the Gazette-Journal story. “Yes, we’d love to have more snow, but we do have what people are looking for right now.” Heavenly Mountain and Northstar California, both owned by Vail Resorts, possess the two largest snow-making systems in the West, according to company spokesman Russ Pecoraro. At Heavenly, Pecoraro said snow guns can cover 73 percent of the resort with man-made snow. On Christmas, Heavenly had 19 lifts operating in both Nevada and California, accessing more than 13 miles of skiable terrain. “Snow making is what makes the difference,” Pecoraro said. Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, which combined operations in 2011 to form the largest ski resort in the country in terms of skiable acres, also understand the impact of snow making.
The two resorts have made $70 million worth of mountain upgrades and have made a commitment to expand snow-making capabilities, spending $5.2 million since 2012. “It’s a major priority to ensure we can deliver a positive guest experience,” Alpine and Squaw spokeswoman Amelia Richmond said. “The snow-making is critical. It’s really our insurance policy.”
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) - West and Midwest LSSM Programs At Select West and Midwest Resorts 1/3/2014 By Mike DoyleHere are some examples of Learn To Ski and Snowboard Month programs being offered at resorts in the West and
Midwest and how to find out more details.
Oregon
Mt. Bachelor - Ski or Ride In 5 - a 5 visit program that includes: 5 lesson packages with a ski or snowboard rental and Learning Zone beginner lift ticket, reserved close-in parking privileges in the Sunrise Lodge lot, and ski or snowboard instruction by one of Mt. Bachelor's hand-picked instructors. The cost is $199 for anyone 6 years and older.Details More Information: Mt.
Bachelor
Mt Hood Meadows will have its January $75 learn to ski or snowboard package for those ages 13 and older. It includes: a beginner lift pass for the Wonder Carpet enclosed conveyer and Buttercup beginner lift, a 2-hour lesson, and equipment rental. Participants can upgrade to a two-hour afternoon lesson for an additional $20. Mt Hood Meadow's 3-Time Learn to Ski and Snowboard Passport can be purchased at the resort for $139. It includes the first two days on the beginner lift, a 2-hour lesson and equipment rental. The third day includes an all mountain lift, 2-hour lesson and equipment rentals. Details are available here and here. Details
Utah In Utah, Alta
Ski Area, Brian Head Resort, Brighton Resort, Canyons Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Sundance Resort and Wolf Mountain are all offering a special learn to ski or snowboard package in January. All Details Here are a few Utah program examples:
Alta - First Time Skiers - Learn To Ski package for $239. It includes 4 two-hour lessons, 4 beginner lift tickets, and 4 days of rental equipment. Enrollment is limited- reservations are required. Call 801 799-2271.
Brian Head - first-timers $45 beginner lesson (2-hour lesson with rental and restricted lift ticket). Bounce back for two intermediate lessons at $45 each. Complete both intermediate lessons get a season pass for 50% off. Details: Brian Head
Brighton Resort - ski and snowboard intro packages for $49. Packages include a 2-hour morning or afternoon lesson, an all-day ski or snowboard rental and a full-day learner lift ticket. Program runs 1/6 - 1/31.
Canyons - Lucky 13 Offer is available January 4-31, 2014. The total package cost is $39 and it includes a $13 Beginner Lift Ticket (Learning Lifts Only), a $13 First Time Learn to Ski or Snowboard Lesson (4.5 hours) and a $13 Beginner Equipment Rental.
California
Tahoe Donner - $39 learn to ski/ride package for first-timers only. The package includes an all-day lift ticket, rental equipment, and a one and a one hour/45-minute group lesson for anyone ages seven and above. The package is available January 6 - 10 and January 13 - 16.Details Mt. Rose - Ladies can get a $29 online lift ticket on Thursdays ($34 at the resort). An extra $20 includes a ski, snowboard or telemark clinic that starts at 10am. Details Bear Valley is offering its "1,2,3 Learn to Ski" program. To participate, skiers and snowboarders need to buy three regular priced lesson packages during the month of January. After their third lesson they will receive a season pass. Bear Valley also is offering one complimentary full-day beginner group lesson and rental package to any 5th grader who has never experienced skiing or snowboarding. Details
Heavenly - During January stay four nights for the price of three and take three days of lessons for the price of two days, including rentals and lift tickets. Call for details at 800-Heavenly.
Squaw Valley - three-day lift/lodging package to those who qualify for the Bring a Friend Challenge. The national program that encourages current skiers and snowboarders to help newcomers sign up for lessons. The package includes sister resort Alpine Meadows. Details
Idaho
Pomerelle - Free lesson day on Sunday, January 5. It includes a 1.5-hour group lesson, ski or snowboard equipment package and a complimentary ticket to the Magic Carpet. Call 509-673-5555. More Information: Idaho
LSSM Programs | Ski the Norwest Rockies Programs
New Mexico
All the resorts in New Mexico will offer a $30 learn to ski or ride package for kids 6-12 during the month of January. The package includes lifts, a lesson and rentals. Reservations are required. Ski New Mexico has organized this program with KOAT-7 for the past 4 years. Details: Ski New Mexico
Colorado A-Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Buttermilk at Aspen, Copper Mountain, Durango Resort, Keystone, Loveland, Powderhorn, Snowmass at Aspen, Telluride, and Vail are officially participating in Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.
Arapahoe Basin - Learn to Ski/Ride Month Super Sunday Special in January and February. The program is for children and adult first-timers only and the package is valid for morning, half-day lessons only. The Adult Alpine package costs $99 (lift, rental, lesson); Adult Snowboard package is $107 package (lift, rental, lesson); the Kids Alpine package is $79 (lift, rental, lesson) and the Kids Snowboard package is $84 (lift, rental, lesson). A-Basin also is offering Free One Run Lessons. Details: Arapahoe Basin Copper Mountain - During January 50% discount on its Adult Learn to Ski & Ride Lessons held in the mornings 9:30am 12:30pm and afternoons 1:00am- 4:00 pm. Lessons are taught in the beginner only area using the latest in teaching features. Also available are 3-day "Ski and Ride U" lesson packages for beginner adults. Details: Copper Mountain
Telluride Resort - Ski School participants get 20 percent off select lodging when booking lessons and lodging at once. Telluride's LSSM offer, the First Time Adult Lesson Package, starts at $150 and includes lift ticket, lesson and equipment rental. Call 800-778-8581, promo code LTS20. Details: Telluride Resort
Midwest
Mountaintop at Grand Geneva in Wisconsin - newcomers can Pre-register (required call 262-245-7516) for any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday in January, 2014 for a 6 pm lesson. The cost is $42 for a beginner area ticket (carpet areas only), ski or snowboard rental equipment, helmet, and a one-hour beginner lesson. Details: Mountaintop at Grand Geneva Snow Trails in Ohio - "Let's Get Stated" first-timers package in January that includes a Beginner's Area Only lift ticket, ski or snowboard equipment rental, and 1.5-hour Group Lesson (9yrs & Up). The cost is $39, a savings of more than 50% over the regular price. Details Snow Trails Wild Mountain in Minnesota - free beginner lessons for those ages 13 and up from January 1-31. Lessons are available at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Reservations are required by using the online code EZ42. Free program for children (snowboarders ages 6 - 12 and skiers ages 4-12) Monday - Thursday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Reservations are required by using the online code URJL. "Get Hooked on Skiing" costs $99 for three two-hour lessons that also include a lift ticket and equipment rentals. Wild Mountain is offering $25 off the package price during January. Use the access code GZYN. All Details: Wild Mountain Crystal Mountain in Michigan has a Bring a Friend offer. Buy one Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday Open-to-Close lift ticket at Crystal Mountain's ticket window and receive one FREE Open-to-Close lift ticket for a Friend. Details: Crystal Mountain The Michigan Ski Industry Association partners with McDonalds to host Discover Michigan. The "Learn to" package includes a lift, lesson and rental costing $20 - $40. Coupons are available at participating McDonald's restaurants in Michigan. Details But don't do it alone, Bring a Friend! When you do, you can be rewarded through the nationalBring
a Friend Challenge.
"Taking the Challenge" means that you helped enroll at least ONE newcomer to a beginner lesson or lesson package from a professional instructor. The Challenge officially started December 1, 2013 and you can win some great prizes like: RAMP or ARMADA skis, a BURTON Snowboard, apparel and gear or even a trip for two! Take the challenge today and enroll yourself, a family member or friend in one of the packages below or an EZ Ski/Ride package
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TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE
North America's Best Lakeside Retreats: From Great Lakes to Golden Ponds by Jennifer Conrad
With summer waning, we thought we’d turn our attention away from the ocean and over to the underappreciated lake. Maybe it’s for a late August getaway or an early fall weekend trip, but either way, Vogue.com found eight stunning spots to relax by North America’s prettiest swimming holes.
Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack used to be regulars on these shores. Today, the north side of the lake, the second deepest in the USA, caters to those who want adventure coupled with R & R.
Travel deals: Healdsburg, San Diego, North Lake Tahoe By Linda Zavoral lzavoral@mercurynews.com POSTED: 01/01/2014 03:00:00 PM PST
The Hotel Healdsburg's "Winter Bliss'' package offers a room rate starting at $305 and a $100 credit to be used on spa services or on dining (Dry Creek Kitchen, Pizzando or Spoonbar, where "Top Chef" contestant Louis Maldonado is executive chef). Also, during January, many spa treatments are discounted by $40 to $70. Guests may get up to three nights' worth of $100 spa/dining credits. Deal available through March. Details: 707-4312800;www.hotelhealdsburg.com. During January, the Cosmopolitan Hotel, a Victorian-era building in Old Town San Diego, will offer a standard room rate of $99 and a suite rate of $149. The hotel boasts 1870s furnishings and a "peace and quiet" policy (no TVs or phones in rooms); however, the hotel does have Wi-Fi. Details: 619-297-1874;http://oldtowncosmopolitan.com. Stay two nights at the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn at North Lake Tahoe and get the third night free. The 56-room hotel is situated at the base of the Squaw Valley ski resort. Regular rates include a breakfast buffet. Details: 530-583-1576; www.plumpjacksquawvalleyinn.com. -- Linda Zavoral, Staff Deal availability may be limited. Restrictions may apply. Prices do not include taxes, surcharges or other fees unless noted.
North Lake Fun January 2014
Six things you gotta do in Tahoe this winter.
Let the Wind Blow Strap on your harness, and surf across hundreds of acres of snow at the Sierra Snowkite Center, California’s only snow-kiting school. Snowkite champion Tyler Brown offers a 90-minute crash course for newbies. 10106 High St., Truckee, (530) 8160485, sierrasnowkite.com.
Refuel Between Runs Take a break from the slopes at Backyard Bar & BBQ, the Ritz-Carlton’s new midmountain restaurant. Situated on the hotel’s ski-in, ski-out patio at Northstar, the restaurant serves pulled pork plates, wood-fired pizzas, and house-smoked ribs. 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Ct., Truckee, (530) 562-3000, ritzcarlton.com/laketahoe.
Mountain Roots Food Truck / Matt Palmer
Have an Epicurean Experience Splurge on the chef’s seasonal tasting menu, or sip on Blue Bottle coffee at Trokay, a restaurant that offers big-city dining with a cozy, mountain-town vibe. 10046 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee, (530) 582-1040, restauranttrokay.com.
Get High Check out Sugar Bowl Ski Resort’s new Crow’s Peak chairlift. The triple chair is 1,000 feet high, and creates easy access to the coveted powder at Strawberry Fields and Crow’s Nest Glades. 629 Sugar Bowl Rd., Norden, (530) 426-9000, sugarbowl.com.
Nom on Casual Fare Ski at Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows ’til your legs burn, and then descend to the base to one of two new Mtn Roots food trucks. Chow down on a changing menu of local and sustainably harvested après-ski grub, including street tacos and fresh caprese salad. 1960 Squaw Valley Rd., Olympic Valley, (530) 452-4331, squaw.com.
Catch Last Tracks Take in the panoramic views of Lake Tahoe from Diamond Peak’s mid-mountain lodge, while feasting on Merlot paired with pork sausages, or Sauvignon Blanc and smoked salmon. Afterward, ski down the mountain’s freshly groomed runs. Last Tracks Beer/Wine Tasting, Saturdays starting in February, 1210 Ski Way, Incline Village, (775) 832-1132, diamondpeak.com.
Tahoe skiing: Better than expected for holidays Posted on December 23, 2013 | By asaracevic@sfchronicle.com (Al Saracevic)
There are two immutable truths in the world of skiing. 1. Whenever you need to go to the bathroom, it’s always one floor up or one floor down from where you currently stand. 2. You can’t ski (or snowboard) without snow. Well, at least I thought those were immutable. A weekend trip up to South Tahoe’s Heavenly Resort proved me wrong. 1. The new Tamarack Lodge at Heavenly actually put the bathrooms on the same floor upon which you enter. This is revolutionary in the ski business. For generations, evil architects took great delight in making sure you had to ascend or descend narrow, slippery staircases wearing heavy ski boots in your moment of need. I came to believe said architects videotaped all of us traipsing up and down the stairs with funny looks on our faces. No longer. You can actually stroll over to the bathrooms at Heavenly’s main lodge without breaking a sweat. 2. Despite a general paucity of snow this season (so far), the skiing was quite good at Heavenly this weekend. Owned by Vail Resorts, big resorts like Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood are now backed by a corporation with more money than God. As a result, they can blow more snow than God has mustered so far this season. So, if you were worried that your Christmas ski trip was going to be a bust, don’t. The trees are still off limits, but the big cruisers were a ton of fun. Long story short, don’t let the lack of big storms keep you off the slopes this Christmas. Head on up and enjoy what’s on the ground. Work on your turns. And then you’ll be ready when the first big dump of powder comes along in January. Currently at Heavenly, both California and Nevada sides are open. The newly expanded Californai terrain includes Ridge Run, Patsy’s, Maggie’s, Skyline Trail, Sky Chute, and the beginner areas of the Enchanted Forest and DMZ near the California Main Lodge. With the California side opening this weekend, the resort is operating 19 lifts, accessing 17 trails and 13.5 miles of skiable terrain.
Outside of the big three Vail resorts in Tahoe, affectionately earning the nickname “Tahoe-rado,” some of Tahoe’s independents are also opening new terrain and blowing as much snow as possible. –Homewood Mountain Resort has opened up additional terrain for the holiday season, including its Quail triple chair – accessing beginner, intermediate and advanced runs above the resort’s South Lodge – as well as its dedicated Children’s Ski and Snowboard School learning center. Those additions augment the terrain available above Homewood’s North Lodge, which includes the five-feature Happy Park terrain park. Homewood has also opened the Madden triple chair, accessing additional terrain on the upper mountain. Top see current conditions, go to www.SkiHomewood.com. –North Tahoe’s Sugar Bowl is offering top-to-bottom terrain and good conditions. If you’re just starting out, the resort has a new “Learn to Ski & Ride Development Program.” For $99, you get rental equipment, a limited-access lift ticket and a two-hour group lesson for levels 1-4. To learn more about that, click HERE. That’s it for now. I leave you with a new ski instructor joke I heard over the weekend from one of Heavenly best and funniest ski instructors, “Weavin’” Steven Everson. Q: How do you know if a ski instructor is at your holiday party? A: Don’t worry. He’ll let you know.
Ski areas get a lift (or at least make theirs faster) By Christopher Solomon New York Times on December 22, 2013 - 12:01 AM
From a new hotel beside the slopes at Jay Peak, in Vermont, to retooled lifts at Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia, North American mountain resorts spent the off-season bumping up the experience for skiers this winter. Curious about what’s new at your vacation spot this winter? Here’s a look. Terrain expansions A few ski areas are expanding their trail maps this winter in intriguing ways. At Breckenridge in Colorado, the addition of Peak 6 this winter adds more than 540 acres, a nearly 25 percent increase in the resort’s skiable acreage. Peak 6 will include 400 acres of lift-served terrain and 143 acres of hike-to terrain. The terrain is mostly high-alpine, intermediate bowl skiing, which isn’t easy to find. At Sugar Bowl Resort at Lake Tahoe, Calif., installation of the $3 million Crow’s Peak triple chairlift adds more than 150 acres of advanced/expert terrain in the Strawberry Fields area of the mountain, just below Crow’s Nest Peak, including two new groomed runs, wind-protected glades and steeps and chutes. As part of a growth spurt, Mount Bachelor, outside Bend, Ore., this year adds 646 acres of glades, bowls and natural features on the southeast flank of the mountain (conditions permitting), giving skiers a whopping 4,331 acres to choose from on all sides of the conical volcano. A chairlift is probable for next winter, so this winter the resort will limit access to the ungroomed terrain to advanced skiers who can hike out 20 minutes to the Sunrise base area. Hotels and lodges The Stateside Hotel at Jay Peak Resort in far northern Vermont is the third hotel to open at Jay Peak since 2009. The $25 million complex, at the base area about 50 steps from one of the resort’s main lifts, will have eight rooms above, and below them two pubs, a restaurant, retail space, a base lodge and a rental center. Aimed at bringing new people into the sport, the hotel will offer ski-and-stay packages from $90, including room and lift ticket. Elsewhere in Vermont, the Topnotch Resort & Spa on 120 wooded acres in Stowe reopened last summer after a $15 million investment. In the Rockies the latest addition to Telluride Ski and Snowboard Resort in Colorado is the Inn at Lost Creek, a 32-room boutique hotel located slopeside in Telluride’s Mountain Village. The inn has ski-in/skiout access, a ski valet to whisk away your Volkls at day’s end and rooms that each feature a washer and dryer. Snow King Hotel, steps from the center of Jackson, Wyo., has finally gotten its much-needed upgrade. The 204-room hotel, which sits at the foot of Snow King Mountain, the locals’ hill (and minutes from the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort) recently completed a $17 million transformation that overhauled its rooms, exterior and spa. The new owner has also opened a restaurant, Hayden’s Post, and added floor-to-ceiling windows that provide 240-degree views of Snow King.South Lake Tahoe is in the midst of a grand transformation, from a sort of frayed casinoland to a cleaned-up place worthy of the lake
it’s on. This season’s example: The Landing Resort and Spa, which opened this month. The resort, which replaces the former Royal Valhalla Lodge, is billed as the lake’s first five-star lakeside property. Learning Keeping people skiing and snowboarding (especially young ones) is a big focus now, and nearly everyone is rolling out new programs and promotions. At Tahoe, Squaw Valley’s new Teaching Tykes program is a great idea: Instructors well versed in teaching young children to ski or snowboard head out with both parent and child, giving tips to the kids while showing the parents the best way to teach them while eliminating frustration and conveying a passion for the sport. The program, aimed at ages 3 to 5, costs $169, including a one-hour lesson for parent and child, a beginner lift ticket for parent and child if age 5, (younger are already free) and kids’ ski or snowboard rentals. Brighton, in Utah, is trying something novel: a girls-only terrain park. The park, Brighton’s fifth, is intended to let girls and women gain the confidence to shred (with occasional all-women’s camps and retreats) without feeling intimidated by the male-heavy presence at other parks and halfpipes. On-mountain additions This winter many resorts in the United States are swapping out older, slower lifts for faster ones with higher capacity and adding bigger lodges. Snowbird, above Salt Lake City, is putting in the only new chairlift in Utah. The original, tired Gad 2 chairlift, which accesses challenging skiing on the west side of the mountain, is being replaced with a high-speed detachable quad, which will cut the ride time in half. Whistler-Blackcomb, in British Columbia, spent $18 million to upgrade two chairlifts to “high-speed” status. As part of a multiyear project to enhance its high-alpine skiing, Copper Mountain, in Colorado, replaced the Storm King platter lift with a T-bar, doubling the number of people who can get to above-treeline Spaulding Bowl, Upper Enchanted Forest and Copper Bowl. In Alaska, Alyeska Resort, outside Anchorage in Girdwood, has installed a high-speed detachable quad, Glacier Bowl Express, to replace beloved Chair 6, which accesses the upper trails at Alyeska.
Polar Plunges Across the United States by Heather Reed on December 21, 2013 in Active & Adventurous, Seasons, Sports & Extreme Sports, Travel Style,Winter
I consider myself to be a somewhat gutsy person. I’ve plunged into a 40 degree ocean on a 50 degree day and lived to talk about it. Believe it or not, there are people crazier than me.
There are people who are willing to plunge into water holes cut from inches of thick ice with snow littering the ground! Why? Some do it for the adventure. Some plunge for the tradition
with their families. Other people polar plunge to raise money for charities. And for a few, the
plunge lends some bragging rights. Whatever the reason, if you haven’t been to or tried one of these Polar Plunges, you’re missing out on a heart-pounding thrill that makes a really fun family tradition!p
In Cedar City Utah, Cedar City Leisure Services teams up with local law enforcement for the annual “Chilly Dip” in the outdoor, unheated pool at the Aquatic Center. Participants wear
fun costumes and the best part, is after you take your “Chilly Dip,” you can go inside and swim
in the heated indoor pool, slide down the water tubes, or splash with your kiddos at the splash
pad. According to Accuweather.com, the average temperature outside is 24 degrees, with a low of -9 degrees!
The Lake George Polar Plunge at Shephard’s Park is the kickoff to the Winter Fest which runs
until the end of February. Its freezing outdoor temperatures, and ice and snow covered paths
guarantee an experience unlike any other! After the plunge, families can take part in Winter Fest activities such as a giant snow slide, fireworks, and an Outhouse Race where participants build
the most creative and aerodynamic outhouse possible and race them to the finish line! If you’re
looking for a place to rest your head and warm your hands, the nearby Sagamore Resort at Bolton Landing has a Fireside Package where you can curl up next to a cozy, crackling fire or take a soak in the indoor Jacuzzi!
Skaneateles, New York also hosts a Winter Festival that includes a Frigid Polar Plunge. The Polar
Plunge costs between $40-$60, with proceeds benefiting different organizations within the
town of Skaneateles. After the plunge, guests can admire ice sculptures carved by renowned
sculptor, Stan Kolonko, and munch on delectable food from vendors and restaurants. (Check out Garage Eatz for excellent pizza and Italian cuisine). In the past they’ve had dog sledding rides, a scavenger hunt, and an ice fishing derby too!
In Tahoe City, California, Snowfest takes place from 2/28 – 3/9/2014, with the Plunge on Mar.
1st. The day of the plunge starts out with the Firefighters Pancake Breakfast. Next is the Tahoe City Parade with clowns, dogs, and snow! After the parade is the Pete and Peter’s Post Parade
Party followed by the Gar Woods Polar Plunge! The plunge is actually a snowy swimming race in Lake Tahoe’s 40 degree water, to the end of the pier and back.
Plunge For A Purpose If you’re freezing your tushie off, you might as well be doing it for a good cause, right?
The “Freezing for a Reason” Campaign by the Special Olympics is one of the largest benefactors
of Polar Plunges across the US. Literally hundreds of Polar Plunges in almost every state raise and donate money to benefit special needs athletic events and athletes. Lake Calhoun in
Minneapolis, MN is one of the more kid-friendly venues. This event includes a 5K run and
plunge as well as a tented PeeWee Plunge for kids under 12. Awards are provided for best
costume and top earners. A few of the other kids activities include face painting and plunge tattoos, costumed characters, crafts, and more!
Another chilly plunge for a purpose takes place in Atlantic City, New Jersey! The Polar Bear Club hosts a plunge behind the Resorts Casino, in the Atlantic Ocean. All proceeds go to
Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. After the plunge, continue the family fun by racing
go-carts or playing in arcades on the boardwalk, or ride the thrill rides on famed Steel Pier!
At Lake Maloya in the Sugarite Canyon State Park near Raton, New Mexico, plungees jump into a hole cut through the ice and into the lake to raise money for the Raton’s Veterans’ Memorial.
In Idaho, the Great Polar Bear Challenge is an annual fundraiser for Make-A-Wish
Foundation sponsored by Allegiant Travel Company. Participants raise money so children
suffering from life-threatening illnesses will get their wishes granted. Registered participants who raise $50 or more will receive a long sleeve shirt, and those with the wackiest costumes
can be entered in a contest to win cash prizes! Also on hand is piping hot coffee, hot chocolate, and pastries.
Resort Plunges
JW Marriott in San Anonio has a Polar Plunge on Saturdays at 12 & 2 and Tuesdays at 12 until January 23rd. They leave one pool unheated for a chilly plunge! Special Elf lifeguards also
attend the event. Also available through December, are many different Holiday Experiences. Stroll through the outdoor wonderland of JW’s Illumination with a hot chocolate in hand. It
includes hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights choreographed to music! A few of the other
holiday events include breakfast with Mr. & Mrs. Clause, Gingerbread and ornament decorating, story time with the elves, and even an elf tuck-in at night! Some of the holiday events are free
for guests, as well as the community, and some require fees. Check the website for more info.
For a warmer resort plunge, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation on Amelia Island in Florida, has
an 82 degree pool they offer for a plunge! The person in the wackiest outfit is awarded a prize, so keep that in mind when deciding what to wear!
How does your family ring in the New Year? At Watercolor Inn and Resort in Walton Beach, Florida, there’s a special Kids’ Night Out New Year’s Eve Bash on December 31stfollowed by a
family-friendly Polar Plunge at 9am January 1st on Watercolor’s Beach. The warm weather outside is the perfect escape from the cool winter weather in other parts of the US!
Warm Weather Plunges: Plunges in 40 Degree Weather or Warmer Speaking of warmer weather, this is the type of plunge my family can handle. In fact, we do! 
The Cayucos Polar Bear Dip in Cayucos, California, takes place every New Years Day at
noon. Hundreds of people line Cayucos Beach and Pier dressed in costumes of all types, and jump into the 40 degree Pacific Ocean to receive their certificate and bragging rights. Some
years can be colder than others, but if you bring warm robes and a hat for after the plunge, you’ll warm up pretty quickly.
Have you ever done a polar bear plunge? Tell us about it in the comments.
Mother Nature must deliver more snow By Jeffrey Weidel From page A11 | December 20, 2013 | 1 Comment
At the top of the list each season is the inevitable question skiers, snowboarders and anyone involved in a ski-related industry desperately wants to know: Will it be a good year for snow? The answer for Lake Tahoe ski resorts and their visitors the past two winters has been … no – as in definitely not enough man-made snow. Two years ago, considerable amounts of snow arrived in November, then the region hit an extended dry spell that ran into March. It was the first time since the 1800s that the Lake Tahoe region had no reported snow in December. Last year, November and December were strong months for snow before all of Northern California experienced one of the driest January through March periods on record. The overall consensus as ski resorts shut down early the past two seasons: snow-making saved the season. So what will the 2013-14 season bring? We know that November came in mildly with unseasonably high temperatures and modest snow totals. For an educated guess regarding what lies ahead, consult your favorite meteorologist, storm prediction agency or astrologist. While the weather remains an unknown, below are some things that will definitely hold true for this year’s ski season. Sugar Bowl expansion: Sugar Bowl installed a new chairlift that will provide access to advanced and expert terrain on the west side of the resort. The Crow’s Peak chairlift will open the Strawberry Fields area of the mountain, just below Crow’s Nest Peak. It will feature 1,000 vertical feet and include two new groomed runs, excellent tree skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs, and also provide a wind-protected area on inclement weather days.
Sugar Bowl is investing more than $20 million into widespread upgrades this season, which also include a new fitness and aquatic center, and a ski-in/ski-out campus for Sugar Bowl Academy. Northstar final Olympic tune-up for Shaun White?Northstar California will be on the national radar in early January when some of the country’s top skiers and snowboarders descend on the Lake Tahoe ski resort. Shaun White will be the marquee name at Northstar in the halfpipe and slopestyle events at the 2014 Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix on Jan. 9-12. White and many of the best skiers and snowboarders will be competing at the Olympic qualifying event. The event is an opportunity to see some of the biggest names in the sport several weeks before the Sochi Olympics (Feb. 7-23). New base area at Sierra: Sierra-at-Tahoe invested $5 million into a new facility located at the base of the mountain, transforming the current skier services area into a mecca for gathering and services. The new plaza will include 9,000 square feet of indoor space with retail options, a demo center, and new restaurant. A 20,000 square-foot outdoor deck area will include fire pits, live music, and lounge chairs for skiers and riders to hang out and watch the action on the mountain. Squaw adds: Squaw has installed four new electric car chargers at the resort, making it the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. Snow-making upgrades: Both Squaw and Alpine, two resorts under common ownership, continue to increase their snowmaking systems and grooming fleets, investing over $2 million in state-of-the-art snowmaking guns, new piping and system upgrades. They are also investing $1.4 million in five new snow cats. Tree skiing at Diamond Peak: The family-friendly resort on Tahoe’s north shore improved its glade skiing and riding by forest thinning during the summer. The new area is between Battleborn and Sunnyside, located off the Crystal Ridge run. Lake Tahoe ski resort openings — Boreal, Nov. 6; Heavenly, Nov. 23; Northstar, Nov. 23; Kirkwood, Nov. 24; Mt. Rose, Nov. 27; Squaw Valley, Nov. 27; Diamond Peak, Dec. 12; Alpine Meadows, Dec. 13; Homewood, Dec. 13; Tahoe Donner, Dec. 13; Soda Springs, Dec. 13; Sugar Bowl,Dec. 7; Sierra, Dec. 6; Donner Ski Ranch, reopen Dec. 18. (Several resorts closes after their official openings … check their Websites for current status).
December 19, 2013
North Lake Tahoe community announcements TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. — Content for briefs is selected from e-mail submissions to Community Editor Amy Edgett at aedgett@sierrasun.com. E-mail for print submissions may be 150 words. Items are published in the print edition news space permitting. To enter community events online, visit www.tahoedailytribune.com/NorthShore/nCommunityCalendar, for entertainment www.tahoe.com. Ski Butlers streamlines reservation process Ski Butlers has launched a new website, focused on making the ski rental process even easier for the customer. “Our new website features the latest technology with the most simple and cleanest user interface we could create,” said Bryn Carey, president of Ski Butlers. Features include a streamlined reservation process, online store, customer account storage and a Live Chat for instant answers to customer’s questions. Visit the new website at www.skibutlers.com. Shop Local contest underway Partake in the seventh annual Shop Local Contest through New Year’s Day for a chance to win $4,000 in prizes, including a $300 Tahoe Dave’s Skis and Boards gift certificate, Diamond Peak season pass, Homewood Mountain Resort season pass, Tahoe Value pass or a Gold Tahoe Super Pass. You must have a Shop Local Contest Card to participate. For every $25 you spend at participating retailers in Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Squaw Valley and the Village at Northstar, you’ll receive a sticker on your card. When four stickers are collected, the card is eligible to win. Multiple entries are allowed. Cards will be available at businesses throughout North Lake Tahoe. Turn in your contest
card(s) by Jan. 10, 2014, at the locations or mailing address listed on the card to be entered into the prize drawing. Visit www.ShopLocalNorthTahoe.com for more info. Forever 18 Field of Dreams Current events to support the Field of Dreams baseball field: Silent art auction for the month of December, Art Obsessions Art Gallery, 10052 Donner Pass Road (downtown Truckee). Bid on local art and items throughout the month. Fiesta Dinner, Dec. 20, 6-9 p.m., Community Art Center, 10046 Church St., Truckee, $5 each or $18 for a family. Forever 18 Raffle Prize Drawing, Dec. 20, 7 p.m., 10046 Church St., Truckee. For more information about the Field of Dreams fundraising effort, find them on www.facebook.com/groups/tthsfieldofdreamsbaseballfield. Silence for the Soul On two Saturdays, from 3 to 7 p.m.— Dec. 21 for Advent/Winter Solstice and Jan. 11 for Epiphany — you are invited to “Silence for the Soul” serenity workshops at St. Patrick’s, 341 Village Blvd., Incline Village, (www.TahoeEpiscopal.org). Over these four hours, you’ll be gently guided in and out of traditional Christian meditative practices, in silence and candlelight: centering prayer, walking meditation, Lectio Divina, and times for guided and personal meditation. Instruction will be brief and simple; a soup and bread dinner will conclude the time together. Attend one or both workshops at no cost and to bring your own journal, texts, or meditation aids. Presence for the full four hours is requested, as coming and going will interrupt the collective energy we create. Soft, comfortable, warm clothing is suggested. If you’d like to receive this experience — to unwrap the beauty of silence and the light of Christ’s peace — please RSVP in advance to 530-546-7824, revclarenovak@gmail.com or just show up. Your gift will be waiting for you. A Hipster’s Carol Tintabulations, a community handbell ensemble from Reno, Nev., will present their annual Christmas concert, this year entitled “A Hipster’s Carol.” This concert will be joyfully performed at the Center for Spiritual Living Tahoe-Truckee, 700 North Lake Blvd., above the Tahoe City Marina in Tahoe City, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. Suggested donation is $10. Clad in their trademark green Converse shoes, this hour-long concert will feature unique arrangements of everyone’s favorite carols performed on 120 bells and chimes. The entire concert is narrated with an original poem about one man’s quest to find his own meaning of the holiday season. From upbeat songs like “Ding Dong, Merrily on High” to
dramatic versions of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “The First Noel,” this concert puts even the toughest Grinch in the holiday spirit. Holly Arts Winter Celebration Through Dec. 30, Holly Arts, a Winter Celebration. North Tahoe Arts offers an ARTisan Shop and two galleries filled with fine art and handcrafted work perfect for your holiday gift giving. North Tahoe Arts is located at 380 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City. ARTisan Shop and gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays. The shop and galleries will be open Tuesday, Dec. 24, call 530-581-2787 or visit www.northtahoearts.com for information. Holiday festivities at Northstar California Dec. 21 - 24 Live music in the Village and Santa will be in a different Village location each day noon-2:30 p.m. to take pictures with kids. Kids can write letters to Santa in various locations in the Village. Letters will be special-delivered to Santa in time for Christmas. Visit http://www.northstarcalifornia.com/info/calendar/calendarevent.holiday_festivities.item.asp. Homewood and Santa team up for 2013-14 pass contest Dec. 21, Ski with Santa, Homewood Mountain Resort. Santa will be tearing up the mountain on his new Christmas skis, handing out candy, and taking pictures with the kids in front of beautiful Lake Tahoe. Find Santa and take a picture with him and tag #skihomewood on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to be entered into a drawing to win a 2013-14 season pass. Call 530-584-6839 or visit www.skihomewood.com. Tahoe Escape: Surviving the Great Depression Sat Dec. 21, “Tahoe Escape: Surviving the Great Depression” public exhibit opening at Tahoe Maritime Museum, Homewood. Archival footage, 1930s boats, and oral histories tell the tale how many escaped from their fears to our Lake Tahoe community in this decade of hardships and uncertainty. Solstice Party at West Shore Cafe Saturday, Dec. 21, 5 p.m. Enjoy our winter solstice food and drink specials at the West Shore Cafe in Homewood on Lake Tahoe. Call 530-525-5200 or visit www.westshorecafe.com. Santa, carolers at Squaw and Alpine
Skiers and riders will find Santa at both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows this holiday season! Spot Santa on the slopes of Squaw Valley and in the Village Dec. 21-24. At Alpine Meadows, families can meet Santa Dec. 22-24. The Great Basin Carolers will be in The Village at Squaw Valley from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 21-24 and Dec. 26. Santa to hit Sugar Bowl Ski with Santa and his elves at Sugar Bowl Resort, Tuesday Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25, visit www.sugarbowl.com. Breakfast with Santa Dec. 25, Christmas Day Pancake Breakfast with Santa, Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area. Breakfast starts at 10 a.m., followed by a half day of skiing and riding with Santa. The ski lifts will open at 11:30 a.m. Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee, 530-587-9444, www.tahoedonner.com/downhill-ski. On mountain stocking hunt Skiers and riders can search for treat-filled stockings on the slopes Dec. 26, 9 a.m. at Squaw. The On Mountain Stocking Hunt begins off the Shirley, Gold Coast and Squaw Creek chairlifts, weather and conditions permitting. All skiers and riders are welcome to participate. Alpine Meadows will also have a 9 a.m. Stocking Hunt off of the Roundhouse, Hotwheels and Meadow chairlifts, weather and conditions permitting. Holiday break camps The Tahoe City Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a series of Holiday Camps, including winter break, ski and skate week, and spring break. These camps meet at Rideout Community Center in Tahoe City and include arts and crafts, games, field trip, and many other activities. Registrations are taken on a weekly basis as well as on a drop-in basis space permitting. For more information on individual camps, visit www.tahoecitypud.com or email recreation@tcpud.org. Roller Derby Night in Kings Beach Sierra Regional Roller Derby will host an evening of drink specials, games, and sharing their love of roller derby with the North Tahoe community on Dec. 28 at the Mellow Fellow in Kings Beach. The ladies of SRRD are looking to expand the organization. Information will be provided to those interested in skating, officiating, or just cheering them on while they take over the Northern California women’s flat track roller derby scene.
The festivities begin at 8 p.m. at 9980 North Lake Blvd. A raffle drawing with fantastic prizes from local businesses will be held at 10 p.m. Sierra Regional Roller Derby is a new, inclusive roller derby league with a goal of uniting the region’s skaters as well as bringing the sport of roller derby to the Truckee – North Tahoe area. For more information email sierraregionalrollerderby@gmail.com or visit www.sierraregionalrollerderby.com. Torchlight parade Dec. 31, Torchlight Parade on New Year’s Eve at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area. Fun event for intermediate skiers and riders ages 10 or older who can ski or ride unassisted. Arrive early to secure a spot in the parade. A DJ and snacks will be provided in the bar area prior to the parade. Sign-ups are from 4:30-5:45 p.m. with a chair loading time at 6:15 p.m. This is a free event. Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee, 530-587-9444, www.tahoedonner.com/downhill-ski. Skiing for Schools Take advantage of discounted lift tickets while supporting local education with the prepurchase of Skiing for Schools lift tickets and trail passes. This season’s Skiing for Schools days include: Sugar Bowl, $40 lift tickets valid Dec. 20; Tahoe Donner Cross Country, $15 trail pass valid any one day Jan. 5-10; Homewood Mountain Resort, $40 lift ticket valid any one day from Jan. 12-17; Tahoe Cross County, $15 trail pass valid any one day Jan. 26-31; Tahoe Donner Ski Area, $30 lift ticket valid any one day from Jan. 26-31; Northstar California, $60 lift ticket valid any one day from Feb. 2-7; Royal Gorge, $15 trail pass valid any one day from March 1-7; Sugar Bowl, $40 lift ticket valid any one day from March 22-28; Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, $40 lift ticket valid any one day at either resort from April 6-end of the 2013-2014 winter season. Downhill resort tickets may be purchased the week prior at Porters Sports in Truckee and Tahoe Dave’s in Tahoe City, Truckee and Kings Beach. Cross-country resort trail passes may be purchased the week prior to the designated dates at Paco’s in Truckee and Alpenglow in Tahoe City. A limited number of tickets are sold and will not be available for purchase at the resorts. Check and cash payment are preferred. Credit cards accepted at Tahoe Dave’s. Tickets are non-refundable. The proceeds from each lift ticket purchase directly support the Excellence in Education Foundation. For more information visit www.exined.org. Calling Crab Feed nonprofit
The Rotary Club of Truckee is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations to host the live auction at the club’s 2014 Chris Matthew Crab Feed & Pasta Feed. Each year a local nonprofit organization runs the live auction at the Rotary Club of Truckee Crab & Pasta Feed. The organization selected to operate the live auction will receive all proceeds raised from the auction. Previously, groups have earned from $4,000 to $14,000 for their causes. The event will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at the Truckee Community Recreation Center located at 8924 Donner Pass Road. Rotary will provide the venue and the bidding audience. Potential candidates will be asked to present at the Rotary Club of Truckee board of directors meeting on Jan. 7, 2014 for final selection. Submit a letter to the Rotary Club of Truckee by Dec. 27, 2013. Letters should include the name of the nonprofit, a request for consideration, and an explanation of what the organization does for the community. The letter should also communicate to the Rotary board the organization’s capability to secure donated items and setup and run the live auction. If your organization is interested in being considered, please email your letter to Jason Hansford atjasonh@martiscamp.com. For additional information visit www.truckeerotary.org. Kings Beach Library Season of Giving Be a reading PAL! Placer Adult Literacy Service (PALS) is a county wide program offering adults reading assistance since 1985. PALS provides tools to change lives by giving reading, writing and basic math skills needed to earn a living and engage fully in the community. To become a “learner” in the program, one should be over 16 years of age, out of school, able to speak English well enough to request services, perform an assessment and communicate with a reading coach, and commit to meeting with their coach on a regular basis. The service is free, confidential, one-on-one, learner centered, and goal oriented. Contact Anne Greenwood at the Kings Beach Library at 530-546-2021. The winter coat drive is in full swing. Take clean, lightly used winter coats to the Tahoe City or Kings Beach public library. The clothes are handed out on a daily basis, so if you or someone you know needs a warm coat, stop by and grab one. All remaining items will be distributed at the North Tahoe Events Center in Kings Beach on Dec. 21. Santa Claus will visit the library on Friday Dec. 20, 4-6 p.m. Enjoy cookies and cider, read some great Christmas stories, make a craft, and whisper to Santa your wishes. Storytime is every Tuesday from 10:30-11 a.m. KBL also has free Wi-Fi and public computers available.
The Kings Beach Library is located at 301 Secline St. in Kings Beach. Call 530-546-2021 for information. Truckee Tahoe AirFair & Family Festival T-shirt art contest The Truckee Tahoe AirFair & Family Festival (TTAF&FF) is hosting a T-shirt art contest for students 18-years-old or younger. Interested candidates must design a T-shirt for the 2014 “Women in Aviation” theme. The winning design will be put on all 2014 commemorative Tshirts, and the winner will be awarded $500. The winner will be mentioned online, in media announcements and acknowledged at the pre-event honorary dinner and AirFair. Application and design submission deadline is March 31, 2014. For information and to download an application visit www.truckeetahoeairfair.com, or call KidZone Museum at 530-587-KIDS (5437). World Peace Meditation and Breakfast Dec. 31, 4 a.m. Held at the Center for Spiritual Living Tahoe-Truckee, 700 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City. Join members of the community with the world community knowing as we meditate, share, and pray together we bring peace into the world. Meditation is at 4 a.m.; breakfast at 5 a.m. Come in your pajamas if you like. New Year’s Day Retreat Jan. 1, all day, held at the Center for Spiritual Living Tahoe-Truckee, 700 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City. Release the old and bring in the New Year in this fun, deep, and profound experience with Rev. Liz Luoma and their Spiritual Community, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Take a potluck dish to share, blankets, pillows, paper/journal, pen, and your beverage. Sign up today at 530-581-5117. Cost: Love donation plus $10 materials fee.
Free Ski Boot Camps By North Lake Tahoe December 19,2013
Why? You need a getaway. Winter can be horrible. Snow, sleet, ice, frigid temperatures -- it's amazing anyone ever leaves their house. But one of winter's upsides is that it's also ski season. Now, not every West Coaster grew up next to a fully functional ski hill, so chances that you know how to bomb down the slopes are low. Enter North Lake Tahoe and Jay Ridgeway. The PacWest Athletics president and head coach is leading a free boot camp from now until January 2nd where you can learn proper technique and the right exercises to get ready for the slalom. With the Sierras expecting a ton of snow, it's time to whip out the winter gear and do something besides just staying in the city and watching a Die Hard marathon. Visit their site to see a full schedule of classes around SF
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Snippets about Lake Tahoe ON: DECEMBER 18, 2013,
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is planning a series of snowshoe excursions this winter. More info is online. • Sugar Bowl signed a 25-year lease with the Truckee Donner Land Trust to operate Royal Gorge. • People may ski or ride for free with Jonny Moseley at Squaw Valley on Dec. 28 and Dec. 30 from 10amnoon and at Alpine from 2-4pm. Squaw tours will meet at the Gold Coast Demo Center. Tours at Alpine Meadows will meet at the bottom of Summit Express. • Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is asking tourists to take a survey about paid parking. • This is the inaugural year for Squaw to shoot off fireworks on New Year’s Eve. They will light up the sky at 7pm, right after the 6:30pm torchlight parade.
December 18, 2013
More than 50 businesses participate in Hospitality Holidays TAHOE, Calif. – On Wednesday, Dec. 4, “Hospitality Holidays” drew a crowd of 200-plus in attendance to the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. The inaugural event proved to be a huge success for the community with more than 50 businesses participating. Entertainment was provided by local DJ OneTruest and the band Sneaky Creatures. Crux Events provided the fun and funky holiday décor along with a PicBox Photo Booth. Santa was also in attendance listening to children and adults wish lists. The fully stocked bar by Pura Vida Tequila, Tahoe Blue Vodka, Tahoe Moonshine Distillery, Tahoe Ridge Winery and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company poured holiday spirits throughout the evening. Mark your calendars for the next Hospitality Holidays, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014. On Jan. 8, 4-5 p.m. the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association will present “How to Write an Effective Press Release” with cocktail reception to follow at the Tahoe City Visitor Information Center. Cost is $15 members/$20 non-members. Please RSVP to Ginger Karl at 530-581-8764. Visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com for more information.
What’s New at Ski Areas? Squaw Valley’s new Teaching Tykes program is designed to help both parents and children.
By CHRISTOPHER SOLOMON Published: December 17, 2013 From a new hotel beside the slopes at Jay Peak, in Vermont, to retooled lifts at WhistlerBlackcomb, British Columbia, North American mountain resorts spent the off-season bumping up the experience for skiers this winter. Curious about what’s new at your vacation spot this winter? Here’s a look. A few ski areas are expanding their trail maps this winter in intriguing ways. At Breckenridge in Colorado, the addition of Peak 6 this winter adds more than 540 acres, a nearly 25 percent increase in the resort’s skiable acreage. Peak 6 will include 400 acres of lift-served terrain and 143 acres of hike-to terrain. The terrain is mostly high-alpine, intermediate bowl skiing, which isn’t easy to find. At Sugar Bowl Resort at Lake Tahoe, Calif., installation of the $3 million Crow’s Peak triple chairlift adds more than 150 acres of advanced/expert terrain in the Strawberry Fields area of the mountain, just below Crow’s Nest Peak, including two new groomed runs, windprotected glades and steeps and chutes. As part of a growth spurt, Mount Bachelor, outside Bend, Ore., this year adds 646 acres of glades, bowls and natural features on the southeast flank of the mountain (conditions permitting), giving skiers a whopping 4,331 acres to choose from on all sides of the conical volcano. A chairlift is probable for next winter, so this winter the resort will limit access to the ungroomed terrain to advanced skiers who can hike out 20 minutes to the Sunrise base area. Pats Peak, in Henniker, N.H., has installed a new triple chairlift as part of an expansion into Cascade Basin, an east-facing (sunny) exposure that hasn’t been skied before. The new area consists of four new ski trails as well as a new glade and has full snow-making coverage. In Maine, Sugarloaf is adding nearly 70 acres of glade-skiing; and Sunday River, about 75 acres (glades and a terrain park).
Hotels and Lodges The Stateside Hotel at Jay Peak Resort in far northern Vermont is the third hotel to open at Jay Peak since 2009. The $25 million complex, at the base area about 50 steps from one of the resort’s main lifts, will have 85 rooms above, and below them two pubs, a restaurant, retail space, a base lodge and a rental center. Aimed at bringing new people into the sport, the hotel will offer ski-and-stay packages from $90, including room and lift ticket. Elsewhere in Vermont, the Topnotch Resort & Spa on 120 wooded acres inStowe reopened last summer after a $15 million investment. Visitors to Topnotch (68 rooms and 23 rentable “resort homes”) will find all-new guest rooms and two new restaurants, Flannel and the Roost, both using Vermont ingredients in contemporary menus; freshened-up public spaces; and a refurbished tennis center with indoor courts. In the Rockies the latest addition to Telluride Ski and Snowboard Resort in Colorado is the Inn at Lost Creek, a 32-room boutique hotel located slopeside in Telluride’s Mountain Village. The inn has ski-in/ski-out access, a ski valet to whisk away your Volkls at day’s end and rooms that each feature a washer and dryer. Snow King Hotel, steps from the center of Jackson, Wyo., has finally gotten its much-needed upgrade. The 204-room hotel, which sits at the foot of Snow King Mountain, the locals’ hill (and minutes from the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort) recently completed a $17 million transformation that overhauled its rooms, exterior and spa. The new owner has also opened a restaurant, Hayden’s Post, and added floor-to-ceiling windows that provide 240-degree views of Snow King. South Lake Tahoe is in the midst of a grand transformation, from a sort of frayed casinoland to a cleaned-up place worthy of the lake it’s on. This season’s example: TheLanding Resort and Spa, which opened earlier this month. The resort, which replaces the former Royal Valhalla Lodge, is billed as the lake’s first five-star lakeside property, with 88 rooms; a restaurant with outdoor fire pits and a menu of wood-fired Greek seafood; a spa and fitness center; and a rooftop wedding site overlooking Lake Tahoe. And it’s just three blocks to the gondola to Heavenly. Learning Keeping people skiing and snowboarding (especially young ones) is a big focus now, and nearly everyone is rolling out new programs and promotions. At Tahoe, Squaw Valley’snew Teaching Tykes program is a great idea: Instructors well versed in teaching young children to ski or snowboard head out with both parent and child, giving tips to the
kids while showing the parents the best way to teach them while eliminating frustration and conveying a passion for the sport. The program, aimed at ages 3 to 5, costs $169, including a one-hour lesson for parent and child, a beginner lift ticket for parent and child if age 5, (younger are already free) and kids’ ski or snowboard rentals. Brighton, in Utah, is trying something novel: a girls-only terrain park. The park, Brighton’s fifth, is intended to let girls and women gain the confidence to shred (with occasional all-women’s camps and retreats) without feeling intimidated by the male-heavy presence at other parks and halfpipes. Brighton is working with Grete Elliassen, a United States Ski Team freeskier, and with Burton to design the park. On-Mountain Additions This winter many resorts in the United States are swapping out older, slower lifts for faster ones with higher capacity, and adding bigger lodges. Snowbird, above Salt Lake City, is putting in the only new chairlift in Utah. The original, tired Gad 2 chairlift, which accesses challenging skiing on the west side of the mountain, is being replaced with a high-speed detachable quad, which will cut the ride time in half. Whistler-Blackcomb, in British Columbia, spent $18 million to upgrade two chairlifts to “high-speed” status. The existing Harmony high-speed quad chairlift on Whistler Mountain was replaced with the Harmony 6 Express, a high-speed “six-pack” chairlift that goes to the same terrain, from the edge of the Symphony Amphitheater to Glacier Bowl. The Crystal Ridge Express Chair on adjoining Blackcomb Mountain, a high-speed quad, is (nearly) an entirely different lift from its predecessor. It will have a different alignment and start 500 feet lower, eliminating the need to use the Excelerator Chair to reach many trails on that part of the mountain and making it even quicker for guests to return to the Glacier Express chair for favorites like Blackcomb Glacier and Spanky’s Ladder. As part of a multiyear project to enhance its high- alpine skiing, Copper Mountain, in Colorado, replaced the Storm King platter lift with a T-bar, doubling the number of people who can get to above-treeline Spaulding Bowl, Upper Enchanted Forest and Copper Bowl. The resort also installed the entirely new Celebrity Ridge surface lift at the top of the Sierra chairlift. This lift goes to intermediate to advanced gladed terrain on Union Peak, Union Meadows, West Ridge and Copper Bowl and saves powderhounds who want to make another lap from dropping to a lower lift.
In Alaska, Alyeska Resort, outside Anchorage in Girdwood, has installed a high-speed detachable quad, Glacier Bowl Express, to replace beloved Chair 6, which accesses the upper trails at Alyeska and is considered by many the heart of the area. Â
Enviado: Sáb Dez 14, 2013
Falando de Viagem viaja para North Lake Tahoe Com a chegada do inverno no Hemisfério Norte, e o aumento do calor no Brasil, nada melhor do que programar uma viagem de inverno, para esquiar nos Estados Unidos. O inverno, aliás, é uma das estações mais interessantes, principalmente com a chegada do Natal. Você pode viajar, curtir a decoração natalina, esquiar, praticar snowboard e realizar todas as compras deNatal. Para quem pretende viajar em 2014, no início do ano ainda dá para curtir a decoração e, claro, realizar ótimas compras. Lake Tahoe é um dos melhores destinos para você ter férias perfeitas de inverno. O lago está localizado na fronteira entre os estados de Califórnia e Nevada. Nossa equipe irá para a região conhecida como North Lake Tahoe. O lago foi formado há dois milhões de anos e faz parte da Bacia do Lago Tahoe. Seu desenho atual foi formado durante a última Era do Gelo. Ele é conhecido pela transparência de suas águas e pelo panorama formado pelas montanhas que o cercam de todos os lados. Veja algumas fotos do local. Essa viagem será realizada pela Juliana, que sairá dos 40 graus do Rio de Janeiro para os ‐20 graus deLake Tahoe. Que diferença! Depois de ver essas fotos incríveis você deve estar imaginando se é fácil chegar até o destino, certo? É muito fácil, com os voos da American Airlines, que partem diariamente das principais cidades do Brasilrumo aos Estados Unidos. A melhor rota é via Dallas, tendo Reno como destino final. O programa American Airlines SKIClub, da AA, reúne 16 fantásticos resorts, concentrados em quatro estados americanos de grande badalação. Você pode ir para Lake Tahoe com ele! Sugerimos a leitura: American Airlines SKIClub ‐ Para uma viagem perfeita de inverno Claro que vamos chegar lá voando com a AA. E na classe executiva, para chegar ao destino descansado e já começar a aproveitar. Saindo do Rio de Janeiro o voo é operado no 767. Saindo de São Paulo há voos no 777‐200 e no 777‐300ER, que é a melhor aeronave da empresa. Essa aeronave oferece conforto, sofisticação e uma experiência mais do que perfeita do início ao fim da viagem. Você desejará que o voo nunca acabe. O hotel da viagem será o Resort at Squaw Creek , um 5 estrelas localizado na Califórnia. Com sua decoração rústica e aconchegante, combina totalmente com o local. Iremos esquiar em Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak e Mt. Rose. Você não tem equipamentos? Não precisa, pois pode alugar tudo no local. Nossa equipe usará a renomadaBlack Tie Ski Rentals, que oferece produtos e serviços premium em vários estados americanos e noCanadá.
Você quer se divertir, mas quer algo mais fácil? Vamos experimentar também o SnoVentures Activity Park at Squaw Valley, com atividades para todas as idades e sem nível de dificuldade. Iremos também conhecer saborosos restaurantes, como o Campo Reno, Plumpjack, Backyard Bar & BBQ at the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe, Crystal Bay Casino e outros que escolheremos no próprio local. No último dia da viagem nossa equipe irá para Reno, onde se hospedarão no Peppermill Resort Hotel e conhecerão um pouco do destino, antes de embarcarem rumo ao Brasil. Para essa viagem nossa equipe estará com as modernas, bonitas e confiáveis malas da Samsonite. Além disto, os modelos são leves, para você comprar mais sem preocupações. As malas também são equipados com os cadeados da TSA, essenciais em viagens aos Estados Unidos ou qualquer outro lugar. Para conhecer os demais modelos e comprar uma acesse: http://www.samsonitebrasil.com.br Para a viagem da Juliana ser mais confortável, mesmo na executiva, nada melhor do que uma almofada daFOM, que além de bonitas ajudam a relaxar dentro do avião e se moldam ao corpo. Você pode usá‐las em qualquer viagem ou até mesmo em casa. Nós adoramos! Para conhecer os demais modelos e comprar uma acesse: http://www.lojafom.com.br Essa viagem promete! Que tal acompanhar a viagem da Juliana pelas redes sociais? Ela irá publicar fotos em tempo real nas redes sociais. Anote nossos endereços:
Opening day for Alpine Meadows ski resort; lift tickets $59 on opening day December 13, 2013 Alpine Meadows ski resort will have five lifts and seven groomed trails open today (Dec. 13) with skiing andsnowboarding top to bottom at the resort off Highway 89 in Truckee. It’s the opening day for Alpine Meadows ski resort in Lake Tahoe. To celebrate its opening, the resort has lift tickets priced at $59! All 14 Tahoe resorts open by this weekend Soda Springs ski resort will also open today, while Donner Ski Ranch makes its debut Saturday. Tahoe Donner will open Sunday, becoming the last of Lake Tahoe’s 14 ski resorts to open for the 2013-14 ski season. Alpine Meadows ski resort joins neighboring Squaw Valley ski resort with reducedpriced lift tickets at $59. All proceeds from lift ticket sales will benefit the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Foundation as part of Alpine’s Ski Team Scholarship Day. Squaw now has Mountain Run open Squaw Valley open in late November and currently offers open top to bottom with 10 lifts and 21 runs, including Mountain Run, the longest run at Squaw. Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski resort joined forces in November 2011, bringing the two ski resorts under common ownership. This weekend, both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows will roll out the Learn to Ski and Ride Special. Beginner skiers and riders at both mountains can purchase a beginner lift ticket, equipment rentals, and a half-day lesson all for just $49. "We are so excited to offer skiers and riders top-to-bottom access at both of our legendary resorts,” said Cara Whitley, chief marketing officer for Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. “From first-timers to those simply looking to support a good cause,
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows have a great weekend on tap for those of every ability level.” When operating in full, Alpine Meadows ski resort offers skiers and riders access to more than 100 trails across 2,400 skiable acres serviced by 13 lifts. Season passes for Squaw, Alpine Skiers and riders looking to take full advantage of this winter season should purchase their Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows season pass now. The Tahoe Super Pass starts at $519 for adults, and offers season-long access to 6,000 acres, 42 lifts and over 270 trails at both resorts. Current season pass prices are guaranteed through December 16. For more information on pricing, or to purchase a season pass, visit www.TahoeSuperPass.com. Lake Tahoe ski resort openings • Boreal Mountain: Nov. 6 • Heavenly Mountain: Nov. 23 • Northstar California: Nov. 23 • Kirkwood Mountain: Nov. 24 • Mount Rose: Nov. 27 • Squaw Valley: Nov. 27 • Sierra-at-Tahoe: Dec. 6 • Sugar Bowl: Dec. 7 • Homewood Mountain: Dec. 11 • Diamond Peak: Dec. 12 • Alpine Meadows: Dec. 13 • Soda Springs: Dec. 13 • Donner Ski Ranch: Dec. 13 • Tahoe Donner: Dec. 14
December 12, 2013
Reno Tahoe USA Reaches "Tipping Point" with Over 50 "Top 10" Awards PRWeb Travelers looking for a fun, safe, affordable, sunny, beautiful, hip and varied vacation destination should check out Northern Nevada's Reno Tahoe area, according to more than 50 varied publications and websites, from A (AOL Real Estate) to Z (Zagat.com). The four season, high desert resort destination that encompasses Reno, Sparks and North Lake Tahoe has been recognized for excellence on more than 50 occasions - in a wide variety of national publications and online rankings - over the course of the past 24 months, and the "Top 10" accolades just keep on coming. "It's pretty incredible to be ranked #9 on the list of '100 Best Places to Live' (Livability.com), #5 on 'Top Spots for Winter Vacations' (The Weather Channel) and as one of the '20 Most Crime-Free Cities in America' (AOL Real Estate), while offering the #1 Lake in America, Lake Tahoe (USA Today Reader's Poll) and the #1 Ski Resort, Squaw Valley (Men's Journal), as well as the #1 ranking for 'Underestimated Cities for Food' (The Daily Meal)," according to Christopher Baum, President and CEO of Reno Tahoe USA. "It's especially surprising when you consider that this is a resort area that most Americans haven't visited... yet," said Baum, "But we're confident that THAT is about to change." Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the gateway to nearby Lake Tahoe's world class skiing for the vast majority of visitors. And with an early storm recently dumping two-to-three feet of fresh powder in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, listed as one of "11 of the World's Most Beautiful Mountain Ranges" by UnofficialNetworks.com, it will be difficult to find a better winter sports getaway this season, according to authorities such as:
Buzzfeed Travel, which ranked Lake Tahoe #1 among "34 Places that are Even Better During Winter."
National Geographic Magazine, which recently highlighted Reno as one of its "Top 10 Emerging Ski Towns."
Men's Journal, which recognized top-ranked Squaw Valley, as well as nearby Northstar and Kirkwood, as having some of the "Best Ski Schools in the U.S."
FoxNews.com, which ranked Squaw Valley USA one of the Top 10 "Best Ski Resorts in North America." MSN.com, which cited Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe (just a 25 minute drive from downtown Reno) as one of the "10 Hippest Ski Areas You Rarely Hear About."
Forbes, which also picked Squaw Valley as one of their "Top 10 U.S. Ski Resorts." Besides its top overall rating from the readers of USA Today, Lake Tahoe also picked up several additional noteworthy warm weather awards:
Yahoo! Travel included North America's highest alpine lake in its international list of "10 Lakeside Vacations that Have it All."
FamilyVacationCritic.com voted Sand Harbor at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe one of the "10 Best Beaches for Families."
Yahoo! Shine named Lake Tahoe as a Top 10 lake vacation "Best for Celebrating a Western Icon." In addition to its #1 rating from The Daily Meal, and Campo's selection by Esquire Magazine as one of "The Best New Restaurants in America," the region's diverse and rapidly expanding food scene also was recognized as follows:
The local GourMelt Grilled Cheese Truck earned double honors this year as one of the "10 Best Grilled Cheese Trucks" by CultureCheeseMag.com and also as one of the "101 Best Food Trucks in America" by The Daily Meal.
Chapel Tavern in Reno's hip MidTown District was recently named one of the "10 Best Places to Drink Rum" in the country by Zagat.com.
A mainstay in downtown Reno for more than 50 years, the Awful Awful was listed as one of the "51 Great Burger Joints Across the U.S." by USA Today. Additional recognition for Northern Nevada also came for several of the area's top Special Events:
USA Today called the National Championship Air Races one of the "10 Best Air Shows Around the World."
Salon.com ranked the annual "Best in the West Nugget Rib Cookoff" in Sparks one of its 2013 "10 Summer Festivals Worth the Pit Stop."
MSN.com recognized Reno's National Bowling Stadium, which will host more than 100,000 bowlers when the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships and Women's Championships return to the destination in 2014, as one of the "Coolest Bowling Spots in North America."
Hot Rod magazine recently cited the iconic Virginia City International Camel Races as one of their "41 Ways to Go Fast" in 2014. Locals know why so many visitors are visiting, returning, and sharing their great experiences in Reno Tahoe, and it all starts with the quality of life enjoyed in Northern Nevada:
MSN Money ranked Reno one of "America's Cheapest (Livable) Cities."
Realtor.com ranked the Reno area #3 on its list of "Top 10 Turnaround Towns."
U-Haul listed Reno as #4 on its list of "Top U.S. Growth Cities."
Where to Retire Magazine listed Reno as one of its "100 Best Places to Retire." Sunset Magazine recognized the Reno Riverwalk District as one of its "32 Great Spring Trips."
The American Planning Association celebrated C Street in nearby Virginia City, an authentic 1860s gold and silver mining town, as one of the "Great Streets of America."
OnlineColleges.com ranked the University of Nevada, Reno one of the "10 U.S. Colleges with Great Greek Life."
Mother Nature Network celebrated the world's tallest artificial rock climbing wall at BaseCamp, in the heart of downtown Reno, as one of "8 of the World's Best Climbing Walls."
And after a fun-filled day of skiing, swimming and eating, it's reassuring to know that - for the sixth year in a row - Reno has been recognized by Casino Player Magazine for being home to the "Loosest Slots in America." According to Baum, "Based upon all of our diverse accolades, from such a wide array of third-party organizations over the last two years, Reno Tahoe USA is obviously a vacation destination where visitors can't lose!"
By: PRWeb December 11, 2013 at 18:12 PM EST
Reno Tahoe USA Reaches "Tipping Point" with Over 50 "Top 10" Awards PRWeb
Travelers looking for a fun, safe, affordable, sunny, beautiful, hip and varied vacation destination should check out Northern Nevada's Reno Tahoe area, according to more than 50 varied publications and websites, from A (AOL Real Estate) to Z (Zagat.com). The four season, high desert resort destination that encompasses Reno, Sparks and North Lake Tahoe has been recognized for excellence on more than 50 occasions - in a wide variety of national publications and online rankings - over the course of the past 24 months, and the "Top 10" accolades just keep on coming. "It's pretty incredible to be ranked #9 on the list of '100 Best Places to Live' (Livability.com), #5 on 'Top Spots for Winter Vacations' (The Weather Channel) and as one of the '20 Most Crime-Free Cities in America' (AOL Real Estate), while offering the #1 Lake in America, Lake Tahoe (USA Today Reader's Poll) and the #1 Ski Resort, Squaw Valley (Men's Journal), as well as the #1 ranking for 'Underestimated Cities for Food' (The Daily Meal)," according to Christopher Baum, President and CEO of Reno Tahoe USA. "It's especially surprising when you consider that this is a resort area that most Americans haven't visited... yet," said Baum, "But we're confident that THAT is about to change." Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the gateway to nearby Lake Tahoe's world class skiing for the vast majority of visitors. And with an early storm recently dumping two-to-three feet of fresh powder in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, listed as one of "11 of the World's Most Beautiful Mountain Ranges" by UnofficialNetworks.com, it will be difficult to find a better winter sports getaway this season, according to authorities such as:
Buzzfeed Travel, which ranked Lake Tahoe #1 among "34 Places that are Even Better During Winter."
National Geographic Magazine, which recently highlighted Reno as one of its "Top 10 Emerging Ski Towns."
Men's Journal, which recognized top-ranked Squaw Valley, as well as nearby Northstar and Kirkwood, as having some of the "Best Ski Schools in the U.S."
FoxNews.com, which ranked Squaw Valley USA one of the Top 10 "Best Ski Resorts in North America."
MSN.com, which cited Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe (just a 25 minute drive from downtown Reno) as one of the "10 Hippest Ski Areas You Rarely Hear About."
Forbes, which also picked Squaw Valley as one of their "Top 10 U.S. Ski Resorts."
Besides its top overall rating from the readers of USA Today, Lake Tahoe also picked up several additional noteworthy warm weather awards:
Yahoo! Travel included North America's highest alpine lake in its international list of "10 Lakeside Vacations that Have it All."
FamilyVacationCritic.com voted Sand Harbor at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe one of the "10 Best Beaches for Families."
Yahoo! Shine named Lake Tahoe as a Top 10 lake vacation "Best for Celebrating a Western Icon."
In addition to its #1 rating from The Daily Meal, and Campo's selection by Esquire Magazine as one of "The Best New Restaurants in America," the region's diverse and rapidly expanding food scene also was recognized as follows:
The local GourMelt Grilled Cheese Truck earned double honors this year as one of the "10 Best Grilled Cheese Trucks" by CultureCheeseMag.com and also as one of the "101 Best Food Trucks in America" by The Daily Meal.
Chapel Tavern in Reno's hip MidTown District was recently named one of the "10 Best Places to Drink Rum" in the country by Zagat.com.
A mainstay in downtown Reno for more than 50 years, the Awful Awful was listed as one of the "51 Great Burger Joints Across the U.S." by USA Today.
Additional recognition for Northern Nevada also came for several of the area's top Special Events:
USA Today called the National Championship Air Races one of the "10 Best Air Shows Around the World."
Salon.com ranked the annual "Best in the West Nugget Rib Cookoff" in Sparks one of its 2013 "10 Summer Festivals Worth the Pit Stop."
MSN.com recognized Reno's National Bowling Stadium, which will host more than 100,000 bowlers when the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships and Women's Championships return to the destination in 2014, as one of the "Coolest Bowling Spots in North America."
Hot Rod magazine recently cited the iconic Virginia City International Camel Races as one of their "41 Ways to Go Fast" in 2014.
Locals know why so many visitors are visiting, returning, and sharing their great experiences in Reno Tahoe, and it all starts with the quality of life enjoyed in Northern Nevada:
MSN Money ranked Reno one of "America's Cheapest (Livable) Cities."
Realtor.com ranked the Reno area #3 on its list of "Top 10 Turnaround Towns."
U-Haul listed Reno as #4 on its list of "Top U.S. Growth Cities."
Where to Retire Magazine listed Reno as one of its "100 Best Places to Retire."
Sunset Magazine recognized the Reno Riverwalk District as one of its "32 Great Spring Trips."
The American Planning Association celebrated C Street in nearby Virginia City, an authentic 1860s gold and silver mining town, as one of the "Great Streets of America."
OnlineColleges.com ranked the University of Nevada, Reno one of the "10 U.S. Colleges with Great Greek Life."
Mother Nature Network celebrated the world's tallest artificial rock climbing wall at BaseCamp, in the heart of downtown Reno, as one of "8 of the World's Best Climbing Walls."
And after a fun-filled day of skiing, swimming and eating, it's reassuring to know that - for the sixth year in a row - Reno has been recognized by Casino Player Magazine for being home to the "Loosest Slots in America."
According to Baum, "Based upon all of our diverse accolades, from such a wide array of third-party organizations over the last two years, Reno Tahoe USA is obviously a vacation destination where visitors can't lose!"
10 resorts for extreme skiers and snowboarders Dec. 10, 2013
What makes a mountain great differs from person to person. There are the resorts where you take your kids -- with sleigh rides, mountain coasters and the like -- and then there are the resorts where you go to test your own mortality. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but some of the mountains on our list definitely have areas better left to those with serious skills (and up-to-date wills). The Active Times picked ten off our list that have what it takes to give even the most adrenaline-addicted skiers and snowboarders out there a grin-worthy holiday. Most of these resorts still have their share of gentle groomers and morning milk runs, but the word "extreme" often enters the discussion when their names come up. Enjoy. Jackson Hole Wyoming Jackson Hole needs no introduction to the expert set. If only for Corbet's Couloir, a world-famous chute that begins with a 30-foot drop, Jackson Hole's reputation would be cemented. But it's also got cliffy double black diamonds galore and backcountry gates opening up to terrain that makes bowl lovers salivate. Crested Butte Colorado Crested Butte is the kind of place you might want to go if jumping off cliffs sounds like a fun way to spend your vacation. Home to the Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte has some of the most difficult inbounds terrain in the country. The steeps of the Banana Funnel are steep, and CB's collection of alpine bowls and glades -- one is called Body Bag -- make it a test-your-mettle destination. Whistler Blackcomb British Columbia Whistler is so huge it'd be surprising if there weren't a solid spread of expert terrain. The resort doesn't disappoint, with runs like Couloir Extreme and Spanky's Ladder on
Blackcomb Mountain, and and plenty of bowl and glade action on both peaks. And if inbounds isn't enough, guides are available for Whistler's endless big-mountain backcountry. Snowbird Utah Double-black steeps like The Cirque dominate the upper terrain at Snowbird, making it an expert draw among the region's many resorts. (Its neighbor Alta isn't too shabby either.) And thanks to the area's plentiful snow -- around 500 inches annually -- there's almost always enough to keep the extreme stuff skiable. Squaw Valley California Squaw Valley is one of extreme skiing and snowboarding's unofficial homes. Trail maps don't make a distinction between advanced and expert here, maybe because a good portion of the expert terrain is unmarked. Scout your own line over cornice and cliff and commune with some of the greats who call SV their home turf. Kicking Horse British Columbia In the not-too-distant past you had to take a helicopter to access the area now known as Kicking Horse in British Columbia's Purcell Mountains. Fully 60% of its runs are advanced or expert -- and by expert, Kicking Horse means expert. Four massive bowls containing 90 chutes dominate the resort's terrain, and if you so desire, Kicking Horse can still hook you up with a helicopter for a taste of its back backcountry. Smugglers' Notch Vermont Can a single run make a family resort an extreme destination? An adrenaline connoisseur may pass over the Northeast altogether, but the folks at Smuggs are doing their best to make you think twice about that plane ticket to Colorado. New England's only triple black diamond run is here, a 1,600-foot trail called the Black Hole that falls at a grade of over 65% for its first 600 feet. Tight trees, cliffs and bumps make this supersteep section extra frightening for those without the necessary steely confidence. Telluride Colorado
No need to venture out of bounds at this Colorado mining town-turned-destination resort. Make out your last will and testament, then hike up Palmyra Peak for your choice of extreme drops into Palmyra Basin, or plummet down Gold Hill Chutes or Black Iron Bowl. The trail map gods at Telluride make a distinction between merely "expert" double black diamonds and "extreme" terrain, and they mean it. Big Sky-Moonlight Basin Montana Extreme terrain falls in every direction from the top of Lone Mountain, the singular peak at the heart of Big Sky. Take the Lone Peak Tram to the summit and choose your own adventure: bomb down the world-famous Big Couloir, take your chances on the A-Z Chutes or plunge down your pick of insane fall lines at The Headwaters. Sunshine Village Alberta The three mountains of Sunshine Village in Banff National Park have some truly scary off-piste terrain. When ski patrol allows, a freeride zone known as Delirium Dive opens - but only to those with avalanche gear and a buddy. The drop averages a perilous 40 degrees for 2,000 vertical feet of cornice-and-cliff glee. Another experts-only freeride area, The Wild West, gives Delirium a run for its money and is also subject to the same backcountry rules.
Copyright 2014 USATODAY.com Â
Felsentherme - Austria
Located in the ski resort area of Gastein, Austria, Felsentherme fills their thermal baths and pools with mineral-rich spring water. From the outdoor hot spring pool, embedded in prehistoric rock and heated to a perfect 90 degrees Fahrenheit, offers panoramic views over the nearby ski slopes.
Westin Snowmass Resort - Colorado The Westin Snowmass Spa at the Westin Snowmass Resort in Colorado is the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes. Treatments are tailored to each guest's specific needs, and include specialty packages for relaxation and revitalization. Feeling sore? Try the Westin Signature Bath with a customizable essential oil blend.
Tschuggen Grand Hotel - Switzerland Surrounded by 43 miles of piste, the Tschuggen Grand Hotel caters to skiers of all abilities, and after a day on the hills, you can relax in one of Europe's finest spas. The Tschuggen Bergoase Spa juts out of the snow and is lit by natural light filtered through multicolored windows, and within, you'll find hot and cold pools, steam baths, a fireplace and a Kneipp trail.
Topnotch Resort & Spa - Vermont If you're skiing in Stowe, Vermont and need a little R&R, Topnotch resort has the area's largest and most luxurious spa. The 35,000-square-foot sanctuary offers more than 100 different treatments and services, as well as an indoor solarium with a pool, hot tub and waterfall.
Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa - Wyoming Located in Jackon Hole's Teton Village, the Solitude Spa at the Teton Mountain Lodge is often ranked as Wyoming's top spa and one of the best in the country. The three-story, 12,000-square-foot facility has 10 treatment rooms, steam rooms, a Tranquility relaxation lounge, fitness class studio, indoor and outdoor heated pools, and five whirlpool hot tubs, including one up on the roof big enough for 24 people.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler - British Columbia Located just steps away from the Blackcomb ski lifts, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler has plenty to keep the non-skier occupied, including the Vida Spa. The newly renovated facility features an outdoor heated lap pool with underwater music, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, two eucalyptus steam rooms, a dry sauna and a full menu of holistic, Ayurvedic-inspired treatments.
Hotel de Charme Les Airelles - France The Cellcosmet Spa for Les Airelles at Hotel de Charme Les Airelles in the French Alps recently underwent a big bucks renovation, and the result is breathtaking. You'll find indoor and outdoor whirlpools, a tandem sauna, hammam, aromatic jet shower, herbal tea bar and the Spa Snow Cave, where you can cool off between sauna sittings.
Waldorf Astoria Park City - Utah The Waldorf Astoria Spa in Park City offers a warm and tranquil place to unwind during your winter ski vacation. Ease your sore muscles in a fireside whirlpool, read a book in a cozy relaxation room or settle in for a Mountain Salvation Sports Massage, designed to relieve pain and get you back on the slopes
The Fairmont Banff Springs - Alberta The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs is housed within a 125-year-old castle -- one of Alberta's most iconic hotels. Guests of the award-winning spa have three waterfall whirlpools, an indoor European-style mineral pool, an outdoor whirlpool, spa terraces, steam rooms and fireplace resting lounges at their disposal.
Resort at Squaw Creek - California With an on-property lift to the slopes of Squaw Valley, the Resort at Squaw Creek lets you ski off the mountain and almost right into the award-winning Spa at Squaw Creek. The menu features several treatments designed especially for the high mountain setting, like the High Altitude Massage to ease altitude sickness.
10 resorts for extreme skiers and snowboarders Dec. 10, 2013
What makes a mountain great differs from person to person. There are the resorts where you take your kids -- with sleigh rides, mountain coasters and the like -- and then there are the resorts where you go to test your own mortality. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but some of the mountains on our list definitely have areas better left to those with serious skills (and up-to-date wills).
The Active Times picked ten off our list that have what it takes to give even the most adrenaline‐ addicted skiers and snowboarders out there a grin‐worthy holiday. Most of these resorts still have their share of gentle groomers and morning milk runs, but the word "extreme" often enters the discussion when their names come up. Enjoy. Jackson Hole Wyoming Jackson Hole needs no introduction to the expert set. If only for Corbet's Couloir, a world‐famous chute that begins with a 30‐foot drop, Jackson Hole's reputation would be cemented. But it's also got cliffy double black diamonds galore and backcountry gates opening up to terrain that makes bowl lovers salivate. Crested Butte Colorado Crested Butte is the kind of place you might want to go if jumping off cliffs sounds like a fun way to spend your vacation. Home to the Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte has some of the most difficult inbounds terrain in the country. The steeps of the Banana Funnel are steep, and CB's collection of alpine bowls and glades ‐‐ one is called Body Bag ‐‐ make it a test‐your‐mettle destination. Whistler Blackcomb British Columbia Whistler is so huge it'd be surprising if there weren't a solid spread of expert terrain. The resort doesn't disappoint, with runs like Couloir Extreme and Spanky's Ladder on Blackcomb Mountain, and and plenty of bowl and glade action on both peaks. And if inbounds isn't enough, guides are available for Whistler's endless big‐mountain backcountry. Snowbird Utah Double‐black steeps like The Cirque dominate the upper terrain at Snowbird, making it an expert draw among the region's many resorts. (Its neighbor Alta isn't too shabby either.) And thanks to the area's plentiful snow ‐‐ around 500 inches annually ‐‐ there's almost always enough to keep the extreme stuff skiable. Squaw Valley California Squaw Valley is one of extreme skiing and snowboarding's unofficial homes. Trail maps don't make a distinction between advanced and expert here, maybe because a good portion of the expert terrain is
unmarked. Scout your own line over cornice and cliff and commune with some of the greats who call SV their home turf. Kicking Horse British Columbia In the not‐too‐distant past you had to take a helicopter to access the area now known as Kicking Horse in British Columbia's Purcell Mountains. Fully 60% of its runs are advanced or expert ‐‐ and by expert, Kicking Horse means expert. Four massive bowls containing 90 chutes dominate the resort's terrain, and if you so desire, Kicking Horse can still hook you up with a helicopter for a taste of its back backcountry. Smugglers' Notch Vermont Can a single run make a family resort an extreme destination? An adrenaline connoisseur may pass over the Northeast altogether, but the folks at Smuggs are doing their best to make you think twice about that plane ticket to Colorado. New England's only triple black diamond run is here, a 1,600‐foot trail called the Black Hole that falls at a grade of over 65% for its first 600 feet. Tight trees, cliffs and bumps make this super‐steep section extra frightening for those without the necessary steely confidence. Telluride Colorado No need to venture out of bounds at this Colorado mining town‐turned‐destination resort. Make out your last will and testament, then hike up Palmyra Peak for your choice of extreme drops into Palmyra Basin, or plummet down Gold Hill Chutes or Black Iron Bowl. The trail map gods at Telluride make a distinction between merely "expert" double black diamonds and "extreme" terrain, and they mean it. Big Sky‐Moonlight Basin Montana Extreme terrain falls in every direction from the top of Lone Mountain, the singular peak at the heart of Big Sky. Take the Lone Peak Tram to the summit and choose your own adventure: bomb down the world‐famous Big Couloir, take your chances on the A‐Z Chutes or plunge down your pick of insane fall lines at The Headwaters. Sunshine Village Alberta The three mountains of Sunshine Village in Banff National Park have some truly scary off‐piste terrain. When ski patrol allows, a freeride zone known as Delirium Dive opens ‐‐ but only to those with avalanche gear and a buddy. The drop averages a perilous 40 degrees for 2,000 vertical feet of cornice‐ and‐cliff glee. Another experts‐only freeride area, The Wild West, gives Delirium a run for its money and is also subject to the same backcountry rules.
Copyright 2014 USATODAY.com
10 resorts for extreme skiers and snowboarders Dec. 10, 2013
What makes a mountain great differs from person to person. There are the resorts where you take your kids ‐‐ with sleigh rides, mountain coasters and the like ‐‐ and then there are the resorts where you go to test your own mortality. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but some of the mountains on our list definitely have areas better left to those with serious skills (and up‐to‐date wills). The Active Times picked ten off our list that have what it takes to give even the most adrenaline‐addicted skiers and snowboarders out there a grin‐worthy holiday. Most of these resorts still have their share of gentle groomers and morning milk runs, but the word "extreme" often enters the discussion when their names come up. Enjoy.
Jackson Hole Wyoming Jackson Hole needs no introduction to the expert set. If only for Corbet's Couloir, a world‐famous chute that begins with a 30‐foot drop, Jackson Hole's reputation would be cemented. But it's also got cliffy double black diamonds galore and backcountry gates opening up to terrain that makes bowl lovers salivate. Crested Butte Colorado Crested Butte is the kind of place you might want to go if jumping off cliffs sounds like a fun way to spend your vacation. Home to the Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte has some of the most difficult inbounds terrain in the country. The steeps of the Banana Funnel are steep, and CB's collection of alpine bowls and glades ‐‐ one is called Body Bag ‐‐ make it a test‐your‐mettle destination. Whistler Blackcomb British Columbia Whistler is so huge it'd be surprising if there weren't a solid spread of expert terrain. The resort doesn't disappoint, with runs like Couloir Extreme and Spanky's Ladder on Blackcomb Mountain, and and plenty of bowl and glade action on both peaks. And if inbounds isn't enough, guides are available for Whistler's endless big‐mountain backcountry. Snowbird Utah Double‐black steeps like The Cirque dominate the upper terrain at Snowbird, making it an expert draw among the region's many resorts. (Its neighbor Alta isn't too shabby either.) And thanks to the area's plentiful snow ‐‐ around 500 inches annually ‐‐ there's almost always enough to keep the extreme stuff skiable. Squaw Valley California Squaw Valley is one of extreme skiing and snowboarding's unofficial homes. Trail maps don't make a distinction between advanced and expert here, maybe because a good portion of the expert terrain is
unmarked. Scout your own line over cornice and cliff and commune with some of the greats who call SV their home turf. Kicking Horse British Columbia In the not‐too‐distant past you had to take a helicopter to access the area now known as Kicking Horse in British Columbia's Purcell Mountains. Fully 60% of its runs are advanced or expert ‐‐ and by expert, Kicking Horse means expert. Four massive bowls containing 90 chutes dominate the resort's terrain, and if you so desire, Kicking Horse can still hook you up with a helicopter for a taste of its back backcountry. Smugglers' Notch Vermont Can a single run make a family resort an extreme destination? An adrenaline connoisseur may pass over the Northeast altogether, but the folks at Smuggs are doing their best to make you think twice about that plane ticket to Colorado. New England's only triple black diamond run is here, a 1,600‐foot trail called the Black Hole that falls at a grade of over 65% for its first 600 feet. Tight trees, cliffs and bumps make this super‐steep section extra frightening for those without the necessary steely confidence. Telluride Colorado No need to venture out of bounds at this Colorado mining town‐turned‐destination resort. Make out your last will and testament, then hike up Palmyra Peak for your choice of extreme drops into Palmyra Basin, or plummet down Gold Hill Chutes or Black Iron Bowl. The trail map gods at Telluride make a distinction between merely "expert" double black diamonds and "extreme" terrain, and they mean it. Big Sky‐Moonlight Basin Montana Extreme terrain falls in every direction from the top of Lone Mountain, the singular peak at the heart of Big Sky. Take the Lone Peak Tram to the summit and choose your own adventure: bomb down the world‐famous Big Couloir, take your chances on the A‐Z Chutes or plunge down your pick of insane fall lines at The Headwaters. Sunshine Village Alberta The three mountains of Sunshine Village in Banff National Park have some truly scary off‐piste terrain. When ski patrol allows, a freeride zone known as Delirium Dive opens ‐‐ but only to those with avalanche gear and a buddy. The drop averages a perilous 40 degrees for 2,000 vertical feet of cornice‐ and‐cliff glee. Another experts‐only freeride area, The Wild West, gives Delirium a run for its money and is also subject to the same backcountry rules. Copyright 2014 USATODAY.com
Sunday Dec 08 2013 0 comments
Historic Granlibakken provides unique winter experience It’s easy to overlook the road heading into historic Norwegian-like village By: Jeff Weidel Granite Bay View Correspondent
Although its hill is extremely modest and barely garners a mention among Lake Tahoe’s many famed ski resorts, for several decades Granlibakken was known as the only winter playground in the entire Lake Tahoe basin. Never heard of Granlibakken? That’s not surprising. Drive too swiftly along scenic Highway 89 on Tahoe’s scenic west shore and it’s easy to overlook the road that heads into this historic Norwegian-like village. Occupying 74 beautifully wooded acres in this picturesque mountain valley, Granlibakken is located a half-mile from Tahoe City. It provides a link to the past, a reminder that some ski hills were once small in stature and remain devoid of the sophistication that typifies today’s mega resorts.
In 1929, seven-time Norwegian ski jumping champion Lars Haugen designed a ski jump hill at what’s now known as Granlibakken, clearing an area of trees and establishing a 60-meter jump that became known as Olympic Hill. The hill
quickly gained fame and hosted the Olympic Trials and the U.S. Championships in 1932. Granlibakken was the first official ski resort in the Tahoe basin, where two years later in 1949, Squaw Valley had its modest beginnings. Today, Granlibakken still sports a ski hill, but it’s more suited for snow play than skiing or snowboarding. A lone tow rope carries people to the top of a
small hill for the quick downhill trek. On the opposite side of the ski slope, a sledding area receives much more attention.
“Granlibakken is really a family friendly place,” said Heather Himmelmann, who has visited Granlibakken several times with her husband and young daughter.
“It’s a great beginner hill for my daughter. She’s taken lessons here and keeps making good progress each year. The price is right and we really enjoy our stay.” More serious skiers and riders use Granlibakken for a convenient lodging location they can book for a bargain price. An interchangeable lift ticket costs $150 per person and provides lodging at Granlibakken and an extremely
generous buffet breakfast, plus choice of a lift ticket at Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Northstar, Homewood, Heavenly, Mt. Rose or Sugar Bowl. While serving as a serene, isolated place for families to vacation, Granlibakken is an even bigger lure as a conference destination. “In the winter we’re in the ski business, but we’re in the conference business all year round,” said Kay Williams, Granlibakken’s resort manager. “We’re not a Holiday Inn. You get treated to a real experience here. Granlibakken is a beautiful location and we treat you like a member of the family.” Granlibakken guests can ski and sled all day for $15. The outdoor heated pool and hot tub-sauna area are open year-round. The popular Pub restaurant will
open Dec. 20 for the season. Both the Pub and the Cedar Creek restaurant are open weekends and holidays. The Treetop Adventure Park course is situated on the Granlibakken property
and participants climb to an initial starting point on a tree platform, then travel through the forest on an aerial trek anywhere from 15-50 feet in the air. The
park, for ages 5 and above, comprises a series of courses, linking tree platform to tree platform with a variety of bridges and zip lines.
Visiting Granlibakken has become tradition for Bonnie Zweben, of El Cerrito, who was married at this picturesque mountain valley in 2004.
“The kids really enjoy all the things you can do at Granlibakken” Zweben said.
“The price here is reasonable, more than at other places. We have a kitchen in our room, bring groceries, and once we arrive we never have to leave the property. This is a great place to vacation both winter and summer.”
Fox 40 Sunday 8th December, 2013
NORTH LAKE TAHOE‐‐ With Sugar Bowl Resort opening its gates this weekend, a total of five North Lake Tahoe resorts are open for skiers. Sugar Bowl is joining Squaw Valley, Northstar, Boreal and Mt. Rose. Almost all of the resorts got more than an average of over a foot of snow, thanks to Friday night's snowstorm. For more detailed information on all of the resorts, head over to their websites
Tahoe Snow Ski & Boarding Latest By Aaron Pero Sat Dec 7th, 2013 5:05pm America/Los_Angeles
Squaw Valley: 20 inches of new snow. Squaw Valley is now open with 11 lifts operating, and ten runs open for skiing and riding. Heavenly: South Lake Tahoe got 12-18” of new snow down in town and 24-30” up at Heavenly. Heavenly will open additional terrain today, operating Big Easy chair, accessing additional beginner terrain, and Comet Express. Kirkwood: 24” to 36” of new snow in the past 24hrs. The resort to open new terrain today and make plans for additional expansions in the near future. Forecast: the snow will continue to fall throughout the day, followed by sunny skies on Sunday. More snow is likely towards the end of the week.
Local News
Skiing: North Lake Tahoe Resorts Now Open
12/07/13 by Cecilio Padilla Web Producer
LAKE TAHOE— With Sugar Bowl Resort opening its gates this weekend, a total of five North Lake Tahoe resorts are open for skiers. Sugar Bowl is joining Squaw Valley, Northstar, Boreal and Mt. Rose. Almost all of the resorts got more than an average of over a foot of snow, thanks to Friday night’s snowstorm. For more detailed information on all of the resorts, head over to their websites: Boreal- http://www.rideboreal.com/ Mt. Rose- http://mtrose.com/ Northstar- http://www.northstarcalifornia.com/ Squaw Valley- http://squaw.com/ Sugar Bowl- http://www.sugarbowl.com/ Alpine Meadows and Homewood Mountain Resort are also scheduled to open next weekend.
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Five Ski Resorts Set to Open in North Lake Tahoe Posted Friday, December 6th 2013 @ 4pm
Five ski resorts will be open this weekend in North Lake Tahoe as a snow storm approaches. Cold weather and lots of snow are in the forecast. Andy Chapman with the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association says they're expecting quite a bit of snow in the Sierra. "This storm coming in right now is forecasted to drop one-to-two feet of snow in the upper elevations, keep temperatures cold really all the way through the middle of next week," he said. North Lake Tahoe resorts that will be up and running this weekend; Sugar Bowl, Boreal, Northstar, Squaw Valley and Mount Rose. "There's going to be a lot of terrain open. It's going to set us up really well for the holiday season coming up here in a few weeks, as we see the storm patterns really starting to build and come into the region," Chapman said. Chapman says check the weather reports before heading up the mountain, and webcams at ski resorts your headed to as well.
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NORTH LAKE TAHOE NEWS RELEASE NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. — New snow and cold temperatures have allowed North Lake Tahoe ski resorts to open new ski terrain ahead of another snowstorm forecast to drop more than a foot of snow tonight and Saturday morning. Sugar Bowl Resort opens for the season tomorrow with top-to-bottom skiing and riding on Mt. Lincoln Express and Nob Hill. The Donner Summit resort reported 10 inches of new snow out of Tuesday’s snowstorm and forecasters predict the resort could receive more than a foot and a half of fresh snow from a Friday night and Saturday storm that could have skiers and riders making deep powder turns on the first day of Sugar Bowl’s ski season. Northstar has expanded its ski terrain and today added the Comstock chairlift to its list of six chairlifts currently operating. The resort also plans to open the backside of the mountain soon. Squaw Valley opens Red Dog chairlift Friday, adding to the seven lifts currently spinning, including Searchlight and Gold Coast. Boreal Mountain Resort is open to the top with terrain park features, including jibs and jumps. Mt. Rose starts spinning the Northwest Magnum six high-speed chairlift offering groomed runs top to bottom today. Tuesday’s snow came with very cold temperatures, allowing North Tahoe ski resorts to run their snowmaking systems continuously. Cold temperatures continue through the weekend, giving ski resorts an opportunity to continue building the snow base and open even more terrain. North Tahoe has five ski resorts open this weekend: Northstar, Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl, Boreal and Mt. Rose. Alpine Meadows and Homewood Mountain Resort plan to open Dec. 13. About North Lake Tahoe For more information about North Lake Tahoe, visit www.gotahoenorth.com. And for the best bargains, including lodging, check out the “Cool Deals” tab, which is updated daily. North LakeTahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. North Lake Tahoe is currently in the running for Best Ski Destination for10Best and USA Today, vote here: http://bit.ly/1bdCkds
 Five Ski Resorts Set to Open in North Lake Tahoe Posted Friday, December 6th 2013 @ 4pm
Five ski resorts will be open this weekend in North Lake Tahoe as a snow storm approaches. Cold weather and lots of snow are in the forecast. Andy Chapman with the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association says they're expecting quite a bit of snow in the Sierra. "This storm coming in right now is forecasted to drop one-to-two feet of snow in the upper elevations, keep temperatures cold really all the way through the middle of next week," he said. North Lake Tahoe resorts that will be up and running this weekend; Sugar Bowl, Boreal, Northstar, Squaw Valley and Mount Rose. "There's going to be a lot of terrain open. It's going to set us up really well for the holiday season coming up here in a few weeks, as we see the storm patterns really starting to build and come into the region," Chapman said. Chapman says check the weather reports before heading up the mountain, and webcams at ski resorts your headed to as well.
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 Lake Tahoe is Contender for Best Ski Destination Posted Thursday, December 5th 2013 @ 9pm by KFBK News
It's that time of year again -- time to hit the snow at your favorite resort. Both North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe are contenders for Best Ski Destination in a USA Today reader's choice travel contest. Voting is open through Dec. 30 and voters can vote once per day. Other competitors for the title include Aspen, Mammoth and Salt Lake City. Â
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West Coast Ski Resort Deals & News 5th December 2013 | COURTNEY ROYCE
A storm dropped as much as 9 inches of snow over ski resorts around Lake Tahoe and Mammoth over the past week with more in the forecast. Squaw Valley, Heavenly Ski Resort, Mammoth Mountain, Northstar California, Mt Rose, Kirkwood and Boreal are all open for business, with resorts such as Sugar Bowl and Sierra at Tahoe set to join them over the weekend. Also this weekend, the Ski Dazzle Los Angeles Ski and Snowboard Show will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Attendees walk away with big savings on skiing and riding this winter season. This family friendly event will include over 250 exhibit booths, free lessons on a snow ramp, free lift tickets and much more. Sugar Bowl will host their fifth annual Backcountry Ball next weekend, Friday, Dec. 13 to benefit the Sierra Avalanche Center. The event will feature live music, a presentation from legendary snowboarder Jeremy Jones, food, drinks, silent auction and more. Boreal Mountain is currently offering a great lesson deal. Take just three lessons at Boreal Mountain/Woodward Tahoe this season, and receive a free season pass valid for the remainder of the current ski/snowboard year. Â
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Lake Tahoe is Contender for Best Ski Destination Posted Thursday, December 5th 2013 @ 9pm by KFBK News
It's that time of year again -- time to hit the snow at your favorite resort. Both North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe are contenders for Best Ski Destination in a USA Today reader's choice travel contest. Voting is open through Dec. 30 and voters can vote once per day. Other competitors for the title include Aspen, Mammoth and Salt Lake City.
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Fit Bottomed Tour: North Lake Tahoe Leave a Comment December 5, 2013
By: Susan
There’s a picture on my computer that pops up randomly as part of my screensaver — a stock photograph of a sparkly blue lake surrounded by beautiful autumn scenery. Though it’s a mesmerizing shot, I always assumed the picture was taken in some far-off place and photoshopped beyond reality. Surely no place was that beautiful. Turns out it’s a real place. It’s a day’s drive from my home in Phoenix. And it’s that beautiful. This summer, thanks to several assignments surrounding Ironman Lake Tahoe, I ended up spending a significant amount of time in North Lake Tahoe, a popular destination for summer watersports and winter thrills. As I learned, however, the area is so much more than “just” skiing and sailing — it’s the ideal place for active adventures. Whether you’re an ultrarunner tackling the Western States Endurance Run or a yogi participating in the famed Wanderlust Festival, there’s something for everyone in North Lake Tahoe.
8 Must-Visits in North Lake Tahoe 1. Best trail to walk, run, or mountain bike: Tahoe Rim Trail. On the Tahoe Rim Trail there are 165 miles of trail solely dedicated to hiking, running and mountain biking — it’s an athlete’s dream! The best part is the variation of the scenery as the trail loops around Lake Tahoe. Every mile offers different terrain, from packed dirt to paved gravel, prairie trails to lush forest. The one constant on the Tahoe Rim Trail, of course, is a perfect view of the pristine blue waters of Lake Tahoe. 2. Best Breakfast: Firesign Cafe. This small café on the West Shore dishes up fresh ingredients in its breakfast and lunch specials. The Firesign Café is a popular place with locals and tourists alike for their omelets, Benedicts and melt-in-your-mouth crepes. Because of its popularity, you’ll want to get there early — the café’s seats fill up before you can say “Veggie Benedict”!
3. Best Group Run: Alpenglow Sports. Want the lowdown on the best trails in the area? Need some company for your five-miler? Have a hankering to drink beer in a parking lot with sweaty people? Go toAlpenglow Sports. Their group runs, held on Tuesdays, are a great way to meet members of the local running community. After tackling a 5- to 7-mile trail run, runners congregate in the Alpenglow Sports parking lot to drink beer and test gear — manufacturers like Hoka often stop by with new products and freebies. 4. Best Place for a Post-Workout Treat: Sugar Pine Cakery. I’ve developed a Pavlovian reaction to this place: You say “Sugar Pine,” I start drooling. Its pineapple upside-down cupcakes with brown sugar frosting are AMAZING. So are its dark chocolate cupcakes. And its gallettes. And its cookies. And its … you know what, just go there and eat all the things. Everything there is organic, so that makes it healthier … ish. Right? 5. Best Race: Big Blue Adventures Lake Tahoe Swim. There really is no such thing as a bad swim race in Lake Tahoe. You could tie a swimmer’s ankles together, release piranhas into her water space and throw rocks at her head … I guarantee she’d still come out with a smile on her face. That alpine lake is magical. Though there are multiple open-water swim races in Lake Tahoe (Sharkfest Swim and Trans Tahoe Relay, for example), I have a soft spot in my heart for races organized by small, locally owned race companies. The annual Big Blue Adventures Swim doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the corporate-owned swim races, but it does have a lot of Tahoe Pride. Even if you’re not a local, you’ll feel like a member of the community by the time you leave a Big Blue race. 6. Best Training Ride: The “Tahoe Triangle.” Though there are many, many great routes for cycling in North Tahoe, the 45-mile “Tahoe Triangle” is a classic, loved for its wide bike lanes, varied scenery, challenging climbs and fast descents. Start at lakeside coffeehouse Java Hut in King’s Beach, and head west on Highway 28, taking in short rolling climbs and beautiful lake views. Once you hit Tahoe City, follow Highway 89 along the rolling Truckee River. You will enjoy a long, gradual descent into Truckee. Once you hit the third and final “side” of the triangle, Highway 267, it’s all uphill through North Tahoe Regional Park and Brockway Summit, an unrelenting 3-mile climb. Though it’s a hard ride, don’t give up — the descent down Brockway to King’s Beach will leave a smile on your face for days. 7. Best Summer Cross-Training Activity: Tahoe WaterWoman Workout at Waterman’s Landing. Stand Up Paddleboarding is a workout in and of itself, but when combined with swimming, running, core work and yoga, you’ve got the makings of an ass-kicker! Don’t worry — though it sounds hard, the Tahoe WaterWoman workout is a lot of fun, thanks to an enthusiastic instructor, amazing camaraderie between the women in the group, and the breathtaking surroundings of Carnelian Bay. 8. Best Winter Cross-Training Activity: Snow Fun at Granlibakken. Granlibakken, a charming European-style resort on the Sunnyside shore of the lake, provides easy access to multiple trailheads for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Their rental rates for skis and snowshoes are very reasonable — $20 a day is a steal compared to the larger resorts in the area! Young’uns in tow? Get fit as a family with
hill repeats: climb to the top of their fun sledding hills, race toboggans to the bottom and drink hot cocoa in the warming hut. Repeat.
 Lake Tahoe is Contender for Best Ski Destination Posted Thursday, December 5th 2013 @ 9pm by KFBK News
It's that time of year again -- time to hit the snow at your favorite resort. Both North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe are contenders for Best Ski Destination in a USA Today reader's choice travel contest. Voting is open through Dec. 30 and voters can vote once per day. Other competitors for the title include Aspen, Mammoth and Salt Lake City.
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Winter Family Travel Ideas for Holiday Lights and Longer Nights BY DAVE PARFITT – DECEMBER 5, 2013 POSTED IN: CALIFORNIA, CANADA, COLORADO, DESTINATIONS, FAMILY TRAVEL, FLORIDA, NEW YORK, NORTH AMERICA,PENNSYLVANIA, TRAVEL TYPE, UNITED STATES, VERMONT, WASHINGTON
Sing it with me! It’s the MOST Wonderful Tiiimmmmme, of the Yeeeaaarrrr! Yes, the pace is sometimes hectic getting ready for the holidays, but, if you can slow down and enjoy the moment, it’s a fantastic season to enjoy with the family. Continue reading for a rundown of winter family travel ideas that celebrate the Holiday Season and beyond.
Holiday Light Displays The nights may be longer in the winter time, but that just gives more reason to light up the night with fantastic displays. Dyker Heights, Brooklyn NY Think all the lights in New York City are in Manhattan with Times Square and Rockefeller Center? Fuhgedabouit!! The Italian neighborhood of Dyker Heights perched on a hill in Brooklyn is known as “Dyker Lights” because of the over the top displays. There’s animatronic Santas, reindeer, and Nativity Scenes galore. Plus, when in the area, you have to stop by for cannoli and hot cocoa in an authentic Italian pastry shop. If you want to see the lights right, take Tony Muia’s Christmas Lights and Cannoli Tour to get the local’s perspective on the area. Candy Cane Lane, Seattle WA What sounds more “Christmas-y” than Candy Cane Lane? This local neighborhood near Seattle’s Ravenna Park started putting on light shows back in the 1940′s, and it’s still a free display going on today. Families can drive or walk down the street to oogle at the lights and enjoy the holiday music. Click here to see photos from 2012′s Candy Cane Lane festivities. Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, Orlando FL What happens when a family light displays goes too far over-the-top and becomes a public nuisance? No, I’m not talking about Clark Griswold, but Jennings Osborne, the Arkansas businessman who’s Christmas decorations drew too much traffic and power for the neighborhood. So what did he do? He packed up the lights and shipped them to Walt Disney World, where they’re strung on the “Streets of America” in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Don’t want to pay the theme park admission to see the dancing light show? Click here for our video report.
I’m sure everyone has their favorite displays close to home, and one of our treasured traditions is to visit theLights on the Lake in Syracuse, NY. Need more ideas for where to go to see the Holiday Lights? Our friends atTaking the Kids have compiled this list with 58 different spots to take in the seasonal illuminations. There’s sure to be something close to your home.
Gingerbread Houses Oh, there’s nothing quite like the smell of gingerbread to put you in the holiday spirit, and a number of places have gone beyond just the simple gingerbread man to creating life-size houses made of the cookie confection. Great Wolf Lodge, 11 locations throughout the United States and Canada Why just look at a Gingerbread House when you can dine inside one, but, please, don’t eat the decorations (although you could). Each December, Great Wolf Lodge’s family of indoor waterpark resorts creates Snowland, and the centerpiece of Snowland is its Gingerbread House. Families can eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner inside the whimsical abode covered with marshmallow Peeps and other candies. The best part, Great Wolf Lodge donates proceeds from the meals to local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters. Skytop Lodge, Pocono Mountains PA Nestled in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains is Skytop Lodge, a pristine 85 year old all-inclusive family resort, with its own life-size gingerbread house. Elves can be found scurrying around the two story Gingerbread structure, and families can walk through, picking and eating candy hung from baskets inside the cottage. Our family visited Skytop Lodge during the summertime, and can attest to its beauty. With a blanket of snow, I’m sure the property looks as if plucked from a Christmas card. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Orlando FL Of course, not to be outdone, Walt Disney World has a grand gingerbread house of its own. So grand, they needed to build a Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to house it. Well, not really, but the two story Victorian gingerbread house is a site to see in Disney’s Grand Floridian lobby. Want to know what’s inside? A gift shop… what did you expect, it’s Disney afterall. For a more detailed look, click here for our video of the richly detailed creation.
Winter Festivals Of course, winter doesn’t end with the ringing of the New Year at midnight on December 31st, and those of us in the northern climates have learned how to embrace the season. We humans weren’t meant to hibernate. The days may be shorter, but here are a few ideas for family fun in the snow. Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake NY The longest running event of its kind in the country, the 117th annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival takes place January 31 – February 9, 2014. This year’s theme is “Celtic Carnival” and will feature the traditional ice palace, fireworks, music, and lots of games. Quebec Winter Carnival, Quebec City QC
From the oldest, to the largest, Carnaval de Quebec runs from January 31 – February 14, 2014 and has sleigh rides, skating, snow sculptures, and sweet treats like beaver tails and sugar on snow. Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival, Steamboat Springs CO Celebrating its 101st festival February 5 – 9, 2014, Colorado’s Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival spotlights its skiing heritage. Kids pulled on skis by horses, soaring over the “Donkey Jump,” and firework laden skiers gliding down the slope at night all highlight this winter carnival.
Skiing Speaking of skiing, one of the best family activities in the winter is hitting the slopes, and there are plenty of great ski resorts that cater to families. Smugglers’ Notch, VT Consistently rated as one of the top ski resorts for families, Smugglers’ Notch knows how to cater to diverse families. Mara Gorman of Mother of All Trips said, “Smugglers’ Notch Resort is tops on the East Coast for an allaround fun family New England ski vacation.” Keystone Resort, CO At Colorado’s Keystone Resort, kids ski free all season, no blackout dates, no lift ticket requirements, no strings or catches. In addition, Keystone features Kidtopia with a massive snow fort and fun themed dinners like sleigh rides and fondue. Northstar, CA In addition to skiing at Lake Tahoe, California’s Northstar Resort, there’s bungee jumping and a ropes course, but the ski slope is most known for their snowboarding facilities designed by Olympian Shaun White. Our video interview with Ski.com’s Alex de L’Arbre shares additional tips for planning a family ski vacation.
Dec 5th, 2013
16 Easy Ski Vacation Ideas from U.S. Cities Aol Travel. Has Just Posted the Following: Filed under: Ski Vacations Dustin Schaefer If you don't have the time or money for a big ski vacation this winter you can still hit the slopes. Many great ski resorts are an easy drive away from major cities. We've rounded up the best resorts for a day-ski trip or a weekend escape from eight cities around the country. Most of them Gear up, hit the road and enjoy a snow adventure. RELATED: 50 Ways to Ski in 50 States Courtesy of SugarbushBOSTON New England's Appalachians host many of America's original ski areas, and as the unquestioned capital of New England, Boston has always claimed a thriving ski culture. Day-trippers, weekend warriors and second-home owners clear out of Boston every weekend and many weekdays as well. The only question is whether they head to the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, Vermont's Green Mountains or the White Mountains ofMaine and New Hampshire.
Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from Boston: Ski Butternut, Massachusetts
Miles from city center: 137 Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $60
West of the Hub in the wooded Berkshire Mountains, Ski Butternut touts its reliable snow coverage, courtesy of an overpowered snowmaking system that surfaces 100 percent of the mountain's 22 trails. Much of that manmade is rolled into easy-skiing corduroy, which begs to be skied like a racer. So wax your boards, don your helmet and get your Lindsey Vonn on.
Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from Boston: Sugarbush, Vermont
Miles from city center: 186 Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $167 (check online for discounts)
As you head north, taking progressively smaller roads along the way, keep an eye out for Vermont
Route 100, which links many of the state's resorts. It isn't always easy, as VT-100 signs are routinely stolen by visitors who want a piece of one of skiing's most beloved highways. Sugarbush is the allstar of Route 100 -- a huge resort with 111 trails and 16 lifts spread over two mountains. With an almost Rockies-like 2,600 vertical feet, Sugarbush never gets boring. Courtesy of Whiteface Mountain NEW YORK On the whole, New Yorkers are surprisingly good skiers. And not just because, as the networks always show during the city's blizzards, people cross-country ski in Central Park. Remember that New York is also the global capital of high finance, whose practitioners have long embraced skiing, perhaps the most upper-crust sport not played at a country club. As long as Goldman Sachs perseveres, so will Aspen, Deer Valley and St. Moritz. And so will the small hills in the Catskill Mountains and the larger ones in New York's Adirondacks.
Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from New York: Hunter Mountain, New York
Miles from city center: 128 Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $72
Who knew that a short trip up the beautiful Hudson Valley from the country's biggest city would lead to a hugely popular ski area? New Yorkers, that's who. Customers flock to Hunter for a number of reasons, not the least of which is its big vertical drop: 1,600 vertical feet, which is huge for a day ski area. Plus, the Catskill Mountains still give off an apple-cidered, Colonial vibe that inspired Washington Irving to write of Rip Van Winkle and the Headless Horseman.
Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from New York: Whiteface Mountain, New York
Miles from city center: 287 Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $163
The biggest, best-known ski resort in northern New York's Adirondack Mountains, Whiteface has hosted ski races in two Olympic Games (in 1932 and 1980). With an uppermost lift terminus of 4,386 feet, Whiteface boasts the highest chair in the East. The ski area spreads across three distinct peaks. It's not only big, but steep, with a wide selection of Intermediate and Advanced terrain that the city's experts devour like a New York slice. Courtesy of Crested Butte Mountain ResortDENVER Winter sports culture would be even more world-renowned in the Mile High City had Denver actually hosted the 1976 Winter Olympics it was awarded. But Colorado voters opted to back out of
financing the games with public funds, apparently wanting to keep various Rocky Mountain Highs to themselves. Today, Colorado enjoys far more skier visits than any other state. Colorado is literally the highest state, with a greater average elevation than any other chunk of man-made boundary in the United States. Olympics or no, things have worked out just fine for sliders of the Centennial State.
Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from Denver: Loveland Ski Area, Colorado
Miles from city center: 56 Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $61
Less than an hour away -- straight up a precipitous, gas-tank-draining Interstate 70 -- is Loveland. You boot up in the highest ski area parking lot in the United States: 10,800 feet above sea level. It's a huge mountain, with 2,214 skiable acres, and it must be the most alpine resort in the Lower 48, a very bald, very white apex, the hunchback of the Great Divide. The hike to that 13,010-foot top is so dramatic, it bears an iconic, if somewhat pretentious, name: "The Ridge at Loveland."
Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from Denver: Crested Butte, Colorado
Miles from city center: 228 Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $192 (book online for discounts)
You've no doubt seen Crested Butte in Westerns or Coors commercials. It's a hyper-scenic, Victorian-era Colorado mining town that deserves its status as a National Historic District. Crested Butte Mountain Resortrises to 12,162 feet and sprawls across 1,547 skiable acres. It's famous for its challenging backside bowls, with trail names like "Body Bag." Relax: there are plenty of beginnerfriendly green-circle slopes, too. Jeff Cavan SEATTLE As the home to Eddie Bauer, REI and dozens of other outdoor gear companies, Seattle is closely intertwined with the history of American Alpinism. In fact, the first American expedition to Mt. Everest was overloaded with Washingtonians. Seattle seems surrounded by peaks -- with the Cascade Mountains here and the Olympic Mountains there, not to mention the Coast Range up above. If you had Mt. Rainier hovering majestically over your city every day, you'd be inspired to get outside and accomplish alpine feats, too.
Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from Seattle: The Summit at Snoqualmie, Washington
Miles from city center: 50 Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $62
A cluster of four skiable peaks at Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90, the Summit at Snoqualmie has beckoned Seattle sliders for more than 40 years. Just a few dozen miles east of Puget Sound, Snoqualmie understandably receives a "maritime" snowpack, which means lots of grins in 20-inchplus blankets of wet snow. Treating your ski gear with ScotchGuard beforehand is never a bad idea.
Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from Seattle: Mt. Baker, Washington
Miles from city center: 144 Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $110
No mountain is more entrenched in snowboarding than Mt. Baker. Its Banked Slalom is renowned as snowboarding's most core competition. Legendary snowboarders have sprung from its gloppy Cascade concrete, and the best snowboarding magazine, Frequency, is published just down the road in Bellingham. Most important, the ski area is home to the world's greatest recorded snowfall in one season: 1,140 inches. That's 95 feet of snow! Baker's the only mountain in the country where a local will tell you the season's below average while standing on a 10-foot base. Courtesy of Squaw Valley SAN FRANCISCO Only 3 hours from mountainous Lake Tahoe -- in a state that really, really likes to drive -- San Franciscans grow up making "burrito runs": grabbing a breakfast burrito at one's favorite Mexican joint, filling up an SUV with pals and the nation's priciest gas, bolting to California ski resorts, shredding all day and driving home. Some NorCal hills slide right down into Lake Tahoe itself; others arrive at wonderfully empty spaces we thought no longer existed in the Golden State.
Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from San Francisco: Sugar Bowl, California
Miles from city center: 174 Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $88
The historic motherland of Bay Area ski trips, Sugar Bowl was founded in 1939 by an Austrian ski instructor who leaned on his most famous client for seed money, which is why its main peak is called Mt. Disney. Sugar Bowl is by no means the largest of the Tahoe resorts, but it feels big, due to the mighty Sierra all around and an amazing 500 inches of snow per year.
Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from San Francisco: Squaw Valley, California
Miles from city center: 217 Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $184
Squaw Valley has been rocking skiers' imaginations since 1960, when it hosted the Winter Olympics. The resort represents the Sierras at their steepest and most photogenic. Indeed, Squaw Valley has been nicknamed "Squawllywood" for all the ski and snowboard films made here, as well as for the number of superstars whose careers it has launched. Squaw has become vastly more fun to visit in the last decade, thanks to its new pedestrian-friendly village, which bustles with folks in heated pursuit of boutique shopping, caramel macchiato and darn good sushi.Philip Duncan, Snowshoe Mountain WASHINGTON, D.C. Though the "Beltway" sounds somewhat like a chairlift, D.C. residents actually have to work to get their turns. Fortunately, the Appalachians aren't too far away from the swamplands and estuaries that characterize our nation's capital. Indeed, just past Virginia is something called the Mountaineer State: West Virginia. Once they attach skis or a snowboard to their feet, Beltway types can aspire to shred like famous predecessors Gerald Ford, Dan Quayle and Richard Holbrooke.
Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from Washington, D.C.: Whitetail Resort, Pennsylvania
Miles from city center: 89 Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $69
Located on the border of Pennsylvania and Maryland, Whitetail beckons with 23 trails, 9 lifts and a relatively healthy 935 feet of vertical. Bolstered by the large populations of the Eastern Seaboard, Whitetail has invested heavily in its amenities and infrastructure and boasts a sports shop, Internet café, two food courts/dining areas and even slopeside lodging.
Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from Washington, D.C.: Snowshoe Mountain Resort, West Virginia
Miles from city center: 231 Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $132.99
Snowshoe is almost as big as a New England resort, with 14 lifts, 57 trails and a summit just shy of the magical 5,000-foot mark (4,848 feet, to be precise). West Virginia has been called the westernmost eastern state and the southernmost northern state. We're gonna go with the northernmost southern state, given the honey-dipped accents you hear and the resort's tutorials on how to dress for skiing and how to drive in snow. Courtesy of Mountain HighLOS ANGELES
As any close viewer of the Rose Bowl and Rose Parade has noticed, Southern California's San Gabriel Mountains are often snowcapped -- even if preceded on the horizon by Pasadena's palm trees. Los Angeles certainly hosts more dedicated skiers and snowboarders than any other megalopolis of its latitude. SoCal sliders hit the San Gabriels or San Bernadino Mountains when pressed for time and roadtrip to the Sierras whenever possible.
Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from Los Angeles: Mountain High, California
Miles from city center: 74 Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $69
This venerable ski area in the San Gabriel Mountains calls itself "three resorts in one" because its three peaks each have their own base area and individual appeal (West: jibbers, East: experts, North: families). A single lift ticket gets you privileges at all three, which means a total of 290 acres of skiable terrain on peaks that rise as high as 8,200 feet and drop an impressive 1,600 vertical feet.
Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from Los Angeles: Mammoth Mountain, California
Miles from city center: 316 Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $198 (discount for advance purchase online)
Mammoth is the soul center of Southern California skiing. The highest lift-served mountain on the West Coast, it gets more than 400 inches of snow per year as the Sierras trap countless storms moving in from the Pacific (the resort is just a few dozen miles north of the tallest peak in the Lower 48, Mt. Whitney). With a summit of 11,053 feet and a vertical drop of 3,100, Mammoth is substantially larger than even the Tahoe resorts. FlickrCHICAGO This burg, where the prairie meets the Great Lakes, could scarcely be flatter. Nonetheless, Chicago isn't too shabby a place to be a skier or snowboarder. O'Hare has flights to all the major ski resorts out West, and there are many chairlifts in Chicago's vacation paradise: Wisconsin. Glaciers carved some fairly nice ski mountains on the other side of the lake, too, in Michigan.
Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from Chicago: Wilmot Mountain, Wisconsin
Miles from city center: 62 Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $45
No one would ever confuse tiny Wilmot with a ski resort in the Rockies or Appalachians, but it has
promised Chicagoans reliable turns since 1952, when it pioneered the making of artificial snow. Wilmot offers lessons, racing, night skiing and snow tubing for those who want to slide with their posterior closer to the ground. The ultimate day-ski area, it promises "Family Fun is only a short drive away!"
Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from Chicago: Devil's Head Resort, Wisconsin
Miles from city center: 184 Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $85
The glacier-formed Baraboo Bluffs area of central Wisconsin, with its beautiful woods and countless lakes, might be better known for summer recreation. Yet Chicagoans have road-tripped here for skiing and snowboarding forever, exulting over 30 runs spilling down a 500-foot vertical rise. Devil's Head is famed for its fantastic cruising on carpet-smooth slopes. Indeed, the resort grooms its cruisers twice a day. Keep an eye out for snowcats, then let it rip.
Lift ticket prices were accurate at the time of this writing. For current prices visit the resort websites.
16 Easy Ski Vacation Ideas from U.S. Cities by Rob Story Posted Dec 4th 2013 05:00 PMUpdated Dec 5th 2013 05:14 PM
If you don't have the time or money for a big ski vacation this winter you can still hit the slopes. Many great ski resorts are an easy drive away from major cities. We've rounded up the best resorts for a day-ski trip or a weekend escape from eight cities around the country. Most of them Gear up, hit the road and enjoy a snow adventure.
Courtesy of Sugarbush BOSTON New England's Appalachians host many of America's original ski areas, and as the unquestioned capital of New England, Boston has always claimed a thriving ski culture. Day-trippers, weekend warriors and second-home owners clear out of Boston every weekend and many weekdays as well. The only question is whether they head to the Berkshire Mountains ofMassachusetts, Vermont's Green Mountains or the White Mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from Boston: Ski Butternut, Massachusetts
Miles from city center: 137
Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $60
West of the Hub in the wooded Berkshire Mountains, Ski Butternut touts its reliable snow coverage, courtesy of an overpowered snowmaking system that surfaces 100 percent of the mountain's 22 trails. Much of that manmade is rolled into easy-skiing corduroy, which begs to be skied like a racer. So wax your boards, don your helmet and get your Lindsey Vonn on. Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from Boston: Sugarbush, Vermont
Miles from city center: 186
Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $167 (check online for discounts)
As you head north, taking progressively smaller roads along the way, keep an eye out for Vermont Route 100, which links many of the state's resorts. It isn't always easy, as VT-100 signs are routinely stolen by visitors who want a piece of one of skiing's most beloved highways. Sugarbush is the allstar of Route 100 -- a huge resort with 111 trails and 16 lifts spread over two mountains. With an almost Rockies-like 2,600 vertical feet, Sugarbush never gets boring. NEW YORK On the whole, New Yorkers are surprisingly good skiers. And not just because, as the networks always show during the city's blizzards, people cross-country ski in Central Park. Remember that New York is also the global capital of high finance, whose practitioners have long embraced skiing, perhaps the most upper-crust sport not played at a country club. As long as Goldman Sachs perseveres, so will Aspen, Deer Valley and St. Moritz. And so will the small hills in the Catskill
Mountains and the larger ones in New York's Adirondacks. Best Place for a Day Ski Trip from New York: Hunter Mountain, New York
Miles from city center: 128
Adult 1-day lift ticket (peak season): $72
Who knew that a short trip up the beautiful Hudson Valley from the country's biggest city would lead to a hugely popular ski area? New Yorkers, that's who. Customers flock to Hunter for a number of reasons, not the least of which is its big vertical drop: 1,600 vertical feet, which is huge for a day ski area. Plus, the Catskill Mountains still give off an apple-cidered, Colonial vibe that inspired Washington Irving to write of Rip Van Winkle and the Headless Horseman.
Best Place for a Weekend Ski Trip from New York: Whiteface Mountain, New York
Miles from city center: 287
Adult 2-day lift ticket (peak season): $163
The biggest, best-known ski resort in northern New York's Adirondack Mountains, Whiteface has hosted ski races in two Olympic Games (in 1932 and 1980). With an uppermost lift terminus of 4,386 feet, Whiteface boasts the highest chair in the East. The ski area spreads across three distinct peaks. It's not only big, but steep, with a wide selection of Intermediate and Advanced terrain that the city's experts devour like a New York slice.
December 4, 2013
Diamond Peak set to open with 3 lifts on Dec. 12 INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Diamond Peak is on schedule to open next Thursday with 1,840 feet of vertical skiing, resort general manager Brad Wilson said Wednesday. Tuesday’s small snow storm, coupled with plummeting temperatures Wednesday and into the weekend, has provided plenty of coverage, Wilson said, and around-the-clock snowmaking will give the mountain a solid base. As of this week, Diamond Peak figures to have the Lodgepole, Schoolhouse and Crystal Express lifts open by next Thursday. More terrain and lifts could be open, dependent on weather, he said. In related news, resort staff is continuing to work with SE Group, a mountain resort planning firm, on Diamond Peak’s master plan update. Wilson said an update on progress — including results of a survey about the possibility of summer operations at the resort — will likely be presented to the Incline Village General Improvement District board of trustees some time in January. More information about the resort and its master plan update can be found at www.diamondpeak.com.
North Tahoe’s Hospitality Holidays brings together local businesses, live music and local food December 3, 2013 by ThisIsReno Leave a Comment
SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. — North Tahoe businesses, restaurants and residents will kick off the holiday season with Hospitality Holidays, a first-time North Tahoe event that will pair food tastings and live music with local vendors and a silent auction. The event will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Kings Beach’s North Tahoe Events Center from 5 to 10 p.m. and is put on by the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/Convention Visitors Bureau/Resort Association. DJ One Truest and Sneaky Creatures will play live music, and Tahoe Flow Arts Studio will perform. The event will feature complimentary food tastings from a variety of local restaurants and beer from event sponsor Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. at the no-host bar. Sponsors also include Pura Vida Tequila, Tahoe Ridge Winery and Tahoe Blue Vodka. Hospitality Holidays is an ideal networking opportunity for businesses, and the event is still accepting applications for vendors. The event’s date, at the beginning of Tahoe’s winter season, makes it a timely venue for local businesses focused on winter activities to get the word out about their winter activities, programs and services. Other event activities include a photo booth where attendees can take photos with Santa, a raffle and silent auction. For more information call Ginger Karl at the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association at 530581-8764. About North Lake Tahoe For more information about North Lake Tahoe, visit www.gotahoenorth.com. And for the best bargains, including lodging, check out the “Cool Deals” tab, which is updated daily. North Lake Tahoe is a 45minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Blvd. in Incline Village.
Lifestyle Join our social networks! PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 1, 2013 12:01 AM EST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 27, 2013 2:07 PM EST
TRAVEL BRIEFS: SKI RESORTS OPEN ERIE TIMES-NEWS Ski resorts open already RENO, Nev. -- Two major Lake Tahoe ski resorts have opened for the season. Heavenly on Tahoe's south shore and Northstar just to the north of the lake began with limited operations Nov. 23. Snow-making machines and a storm that dropped up to nearly a foot of snow this week allowed the resorts to open. Ski areas in the Northeast continue to pump millions of dollars in new high-tech snowmaking to draw early-season skiers and riders and to ensure their slopes will remain snowy into the spring. An early cold snap allowed resorts from Vermont to Maine to fire up snow guns in early November. New Hampshire's Loon Mountain opened Nov. 8, its earliest top-to-bottom opening ever, thanks to a $1.3 million investment to revamp its snow-making. In Vermont, Okemo, Mount Snow and Bromley Mountain are among the resorts that opened in mid-November. "It's the earliest opening that I can remember, and I've been here 40 years," Bromley President Bill Cairns said. Pinterest launches location-based pins NEW YORK -- Pinterest, the online pinboard for sharing everything from wedding china ideas to travel inspiration, is now letting users add location to their pins. San Francisco-based Pinterest says that its "Place Pins" were designed to "combine all the beautiful imagery of a travel magazine with the utility of a map and put it all online so you can share it with friends."
That’s one of the things that define lovers of snow. Mother Nature may be fitfully magnanimous, but the people who gravitate to skiing and snowboarding are typically generous to a fault. From Mike and his loaner gear to the hotel clerk at Squaw Valley four days later who pulled out a trail map to show me the best runs on the mountain before I’d even checked in, snow-lovers are deeply enthusiastic about the sport of skiing. It’s not a competition. It’s a shared experience, one that even overcomes the vagaries of the weather. The South Tahoe scene The only real differences among skiers lie in the type of experience a given individual desires. And the Tahoe region offers the perfect solution for all comers, from first-timers getting their West Coast powder legs to hard-charging skiers yearning for steep-and-deep terrain to couples looking to marry a few days on the slopes with vineyard tours. In total, Lake Tahoe boasts seven world-class ski resorts, along with a handful of local mountains. I visited five; three on the southern side near South Lake Tahoe and two in North Tahoe. And from the beginning, it was clear that this visit wasn’t going to be long enough. Instead of an extensive tour, it became a Tahoe primer. Heavenly is the big boy on the block, with the most acreage and longest vertical drop. It also offers lake views that make you feel as if you could launch off a jump and splash into its glittering surface. At the only resort to straddle the California/Nevada border, you find a heady mix of both gob-smacking natural beauty and a Vegas-on-the-slopes vibe best typified by the Unbuckled happy hour at mid-mountain, complete with go-go dancers wearing strategically placed fur. The resort’s proximity to South Lake Tahoe also makes it one of the easiest to reach from a variety of accommodations, whether they’re casino resorts or private lakeside vacation rentals or old motor motels converted into hip boutique hotels. More than 30 miles south of Heavenly, Kirkwood trades lake views for a more iconic alpine landscape. The mountains stare down at you from the parking lot, issuing a quiet dare that’s reinforced when you see a handful of lifts marked with skull-and-crossbones signs that indicate that all you’ll find are expert-only runs at the top. About half the resort is rated for
Online sources to help you plan a winter getaway By Ed Perkins Tribune Content Agency on December 1, 2013 - 12:01 AM
Whether you’re an active skier, snowboarder or skater, or just enjoy the great mountain sightseeing and ski-lodge atmosphere, many of you will be heading for winter sports centers over the coming months. And several online sources are eager to help you find some of the better deals. The good folks at Kayak.com, the popular search site, have pored over their ticket search records to figure the best times to buy tickets and fly to some of the top destinations: • Fly in January for lowest airfares to Denver and Sun Valley; fly in February for Stowe, Calgary, Mount Bachelor and Mount Hood, Tahoe and Park City; fly in March to Jackson Hole, Mont Tremblant or Whistler. • For centers in the eastern parts of the Colorado Rockies, such as Aspen and Breckenridge, fly to Denver and take a shuttle rather than fly direct to the winter centers. But Aspen is worth the effort, say Kayak’s sources; TrustYou.com ranks its hotels No. 1, followed by Keystone, Salt Lake City, Santa Fe and Lake Tahoe. Other previous reports I’ve seen note that you can find much better hotel prices in big cities that are near winter centers, such as Burlington, Reno, Portland and Salt Lake City; city hotels plus shuttles generally cost a lot less than staying right in the center. Some of the lowest priced ski centers rely almost completely on nearby communities for accommodations and restaurants, including my hometown of Ashland, Ore., as well as Ogden, Utah and Santa Fe, N.M. Several outfits sell promotionally priced ski lift, accommodations, and related winter activity tickets:
Pinterest says there are more than 750 million travel-related pins on the site already. With the new location-based pins, users will be able to create maps for friends visiting from out of town, or vacation spots they want to see. According to comScore, Pinterest has more than 53 million users. Miss. town OKs 'pedicabs' OXFORD, Miss. -- Oxford aldermen have amended the city's taxi cab ordinance to allow pedicabs, also known as cycle rickshaws, which transport passengers in a carriagestyled seat hooked to a bicycle. The pedicabs may only travel on streets with designated bike lanes that have a 35 mph speed limit. The soonest pedicabs can hit the streets is Dec. 19, after a customary 30-day wait. Two companies -- Rebel Pedal and Rebel Rickshaw -- propose to shuttle people between downtown and the University of Mississippi campus as well as offer downtown and perhaps campus tours.
Drivers will have to pass background checks like taxi drivers but are only required to have a Class R license which is just a regular driver's license.
-- from wire reports
• Liftopia.com (800-349-0870) seems to be the largest such agency, selling promotionally priced lift tickets bundles in 37 states (yes, even Indiana and Alabama have at least one ski facility) plus Austria, Chile, France and Switzerland. It even lists Russia, but posts no deals there. Liftopia claims discounts as high as 70 percent. Although it lists hundreds of individual winter sports complexes, for any given date, the majority show “out of stock” on any deals. • GetSkiTickets.com (970-233-7040) sells lift tickets, seasonal passes and deals bundled with rentals and lessons at 50 resorts in eastern and western winter centers in the United States and Canada, with discounts claimed to be “up to 60 percent.” • Colorado Ski Country, an association of most of the state’s winter vacation centers, posts a long list of members’ promotional deals, ranging from “kids free” to “third-night free” and promotionally priced resort stays. Check the website at coloradoski.com. • Although I don’t usually cover individual hotels, check winter packages from xanterra.com at winter-spectacular Yellowstone Park. Most big airlines also post air/hotel packages to the winter vacation centers they serve, several with fairly short buying windows: • Alaska shows “hot deals” for Squaw Valley and Sun Valley. • Delta Vacations and United Vacations post winter vacation deals in the United States, Canada and Europe. The big online travel agencies such as Expedia and Orbitz also feature winter sports vacation packages, as do major credit cards and tour operators such as Apple Vacations. And if that’s not enough, individual vacation centers and individual resort complexes also post their own promotions. If you don’t want to spend all your vacation time in a winter sports center, consider visiting a destination that provides a combination of winter sports along with other options. Tahoe, for example, combines winter activities with Vegas-style bright lights and action. Santa Fe gives you both skiing and its broad spectrum of cultural activities. The ultimate example might well be the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort in Spain, where you’re 20 miles from historical Granada and where you can ski in the morning and sun on the Costa del Sol in the afternoon. Keep looking; you’ll find something. Some of the lowest priced ski centers rely on nearby communities for accomodations and restaurants.
Ski-town news roundup: Snow to return to Colorado November 30, 2013
Light snow and wind for Interstate 70 and north on Sunday and Sunday night. Heavy snow for all mountains late Tuesday night through Wednesday, with very cold temperatures Wednesday through the weekend. After a week of quiet weather, we’ll be back on the storm train very soon. In one week from now, it’s going to look and feel like mid-winter. We’ll see a quick shot of snow Sunday morning through Monday morning, focusing on the mountains along and north of I-70. Total accumulations could be about 2-4 inches, with more in spots that do well in northwest flow. The models do not agree on the snow amounts (not a surprise considering northwest flow is rarely accurately predicted), so my confidence is low on the accumulation forecast. A few flakes to an inch or two might get south to Aspen, but this will mainly be an I-70 and north event. The heaviest snow will likely fall Sunday afternoon and Sunday night, with snow tapering to flurries by mid morning on Monday. Monday afternoon through most of Tuesday will be dry as the big storm will still be to our northwest and west. Look for increasing clouds, winds, and snow to arrive on Tuesday night. Some models show the snow starting to fall heavily Tuesday night, and others hold it off until Wednesday morning. But that’s a small detail that doesn’t matter much, because the take away is that we’ll see heavy snow sometime in the Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon time frame, with accumulations approaching a foot for many mountains by Wednesday night. — To read the rest of this forecast, visit www.opensnow.com. Crested Butte reverses decision to charge uphillers Crested Butte Mountain Resort last week reversed its decision to charge its season pass holders for uphill access. In an email regarding the change to the resort’s uphill policy, which had previously required pass holders to purchase an uphill travel pass for $100, Scott Clarkson, the resort’s vice
president of sales and marketing, thanked everyone who provided feedback about the new policy. “Our main goal of this program is not to make money, but to grow the sport, and create additional value for this customer base. The money gained by this program will go right back into the program,” he wrote. “In considering our goals with growth and value of this program we have made a last-minute decision to give all Peak Pass holders uphill access as part of their Peak Pass privileges.” Uphill skiers without a Peak Pass will need to purchase an uphill day ticket for $10 or an Uphill Access season pass for $100. Crested Butte Nordic pass holders wishing to purchase an uphill pass may present their Nordic pass at the resort to receive an uphill access pass for half-off. Likewise skiers who have already purchased an Uphill Access pass or a Peak Pass+ may present that pass at Crested Butte Nordic Center and purchase a Crested Butte Nordic season pass for $50 off. — To read the rest of this story, visit www.crestedbuttenews.com. New proposal expected for Squaw Valley village expansion OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. — Amid continuing feedback, a revised proposal for Squaw Valley’s village expansion should be submitted to Placer County next month. The current plan outlines the addition of 1,093 lodging units, new commercial space and the year-round indoor activity center “Grand Camp” across 101.5 acres. “We’ve really worked hard to get the input of the whole Lake Tahoe region on our plan, with a real focus on environmental stewardship, family oriented experiences and job creation,” said Chevis Hosea, vice president of development for Squaw Valley. “The community has been providing valuable input, and we’re considering it as we make revisions.” While it’s unclear what exactly those revisions will be, Alex Fisch, senior planner for Placer County Planning Services, said he thinks they will be “notable.” Once the revised plan is submitted — expected in the second week of December — the county will release a notice informing the public of changes, Fisch said. Since the application was submitted to the county in December 2011, it’s drawn skepticism, as evidenced in results of a recent survey conducted by project critics Sierra Watch and the Friends of Squaw Valley. Of 220 people who responded to the open-ended question of which factor they least like about Squaw Valley, the proposed village development was the top answer, at 30 percent.
When asked what factor survey-takers like most about Squaw, 34 percent answered “mountains, scenery,” 33 percent with “skiing, terrain” and 10 percent said “natural environment,” out of 282 responders. In total, 330 people took the online survey, which was available from May 30 to Aug. 30. — to read the rest of this story, visit www.tahoedailytribune.com. Some Northeast ski resorts open earlier than ever MONTPELIER, Vt. – Ski areas in the Northeast continue to pump millions of dollars in new high-tech snowmaking to draw early season skiers and riders and to ensure their slopes will remain snowy into the spring. An early cold snap allowed resorts from Vermont to Maine to fire up snow guns in the beginning of November. New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain opened Nov. 8, its earliest top-to-bottom opening ever, thanks to a $1.3 million investment to revamp its snowmaking. “This season, we opened about 10 days early which is really big for us,” said spokesman Greg Kwasnik. In Vermont, Okemo, Mount Snow and Bromley Mountain are among the resorts that opened in mid-November. “It’s the earliest opening that I can remember, and I’ve been here 40 years,” Bromley President Bill Cairns said. Stowe Mountain Resort continues its major snowmaking revamp spending another $3.4 million on new equipment and upgrades, including 100 tower guns, three fan guns and miles of snowmaking pipe. That’s on top of $4.7 million spent last year. Maine’s two biggest resorts — Sugarloaf and Sunday River — have installed hundreds of new energy efficient snow guns for this season, on top of big investments in equipment in recent years. The new high efficiency, low-energy equipment allows the resorts to keep the slopes covered at a fraction of the energy costs, eliminating the need for thousands of gallons of diesel fuel. Aside from more snow, skiers and riders will notice new lodging, terrain parks and glade offerings at some resorts.
Big changes to the tune of $43 million are on the ground at Jay Peak in northern Vermont near the Canadian border, including an 80,000-square-foot (7,430-square-meter) Stateside Hotel and base lodge and 84 new mountain cottages. Sunday River in Maine has added a new 15-acre (6-hectare) terrain park including a jump line, super pipe and rail park. And Sugarloaf has expanded its back-country-style terrain by 70 more acres (28 hectares) and added a new 30-person outdoor hot tub to its Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel. — The Associated Press
Hopscotching among Lake Tahoe’s plentiful ski resorts By Nathan Borchelt, Published: November 29 E-mail the writer
I drove toward the moon, a full and brilliant orange globe suspended above the horizon in a March sky. Pockets of fog clung to the pavement of Route 50 as Sacramento faded in the rearview mirror. Ahead, in the darkness, lay the mountains that define Tahoe, where I planned to hopscotch through five ski resorts around the 191-square-mile lake. The serenity of the moment, the guiding light of the pumpkin-colored moon and the promise of the days to come almost made me forget the very real fact that, while I had successfully made the trip from Washington, my luggage — including all my ski gear — had not. As any skier or snowboarder will tell you, a successful winter-sport outing largely depends on the whim of always fickle Mother Nature. One year, she can deliver record-breaking snowfall, like the time in 2011 when 16 feet fell across Lake Tahoe in nine days — so much snow that it buried the ski lifts. But she can just as easily force you to trade the snow-covered slopes for the hotel pool, staring in disbelief at the bare mountain. In short, it’s a gamble. You can, however, stack the decks in your favor. That bounty of snow that swallowed the Tahoe ski lifts fell in March, rescuing an otherwise dismal season. Last year, when I set out for Tahoe, intermittent storms all through the
winter had built up a decent base of snow, and the area typically gets mid-spring dumps. Another record-breaking storm was a long shot, but the odds were good. Even if feet of snow fell the night after I arrived in South Lake Tahoe, though, I still wouldn’t be able to ski. Not unless I wanted to brave the slopes wearing just the light sweater, jeans and thin socks that I’d worn on the plane. Something borrowed Half a day later, I was riding the gondola up Heavenly Resort, the first of five resorts on my ambitious itinerary. The mountain base had been covered by a leaden overcast, but as the lift climbed the mountain, we broke through the dense blanket of gray to a vibrant bluebird sky bathed in sunlight. The snow gleamed an almost fluorescent white, and the sparkling expanse of Lake Tahoe, visible beyond the gray shroud covering the town of South Lake Tahoe, felt close enough to touch. “This is where God and science grab hands and say, ‘Ha! This rocks!’ ” exclaimed Mike Fry, a longtime Tahoe resident with a slight gray beard and inviting blue eyes. My luggage was currently in Sacramento, Reno or San Francisco, following a convoluted path that would eventually end at my hotel sometime that night. But Mike had come through. He’d met me early that morning to show me around Heavenly, a massive 4,800-acre resort boasting 97 runs. And when I’d explained why I was still wearing street clothes, his solution was simple: I’d explore South Lake Tahoe, a sleepy burg on the border of Nevada and California, and he’d go home and find something for me to wear. Most skiers have a vast collection of old gear, well used, respectfully retired and impossible to part with because of its years of loyal service. And that’s how I ended up in a pair of tightfitting ski pants adorned with a two-inch stripe of Hawaiian flower-print fabric running the length of the outer seams, the graphic flaring out like a pair of bell-bottoms at the cuffs. The jacket lacked some of the pants’ flair, but those two pieces of well-worn apparel — as well as Mike’s backup base layers, socks and gloves — had me on the slopes.
intermediate skiers and riders, but locals anxious to test their skills and torture their legs gravitate to Kirkwood, hiking across the expansive ridgelines of the 2,300-acre resort before winding down with a can of beer on the expansive village patio. Sierra-at-Tahoe also caters to the locals, with prime tree skiing when the snow is deep enough. It wasn’t on the day I visited, but the main runs had received a several-inch dusting and proved a riotous blast. Sierra also has a defined cred among freeskiers and snowboarders, a rep that’s likely to continue thanks to the Burton Star Wars Experience. This full-day program uses characters from the iconic movie to help budding Shaun Whites, ages 3 to 12, learn how to ride in a kids-only camp. The smallest of the three South Tahoe resorts I visited at 2,000 acres, Sierra eschews the more grandiose resort elements for a relaxed mom-and-pop vibe. “The typical development news here isn’t the construction of new hot tubs,” said Steve Hemphill, the resort’s communications manager. “It’s getting more local beers on tap.” Navigating northward Head west out of South Lake Tahoe and drive north for an hour on scenic Route 89 along the western coast of the lake, and you reach North Tahoe’s Squaw Valley. Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, this epic resort boasts a rep as an extreme-skiers’ playground. Hardly any of the terrain in this 3,600-acre resort is off-limits; if you can see it, you can try to ski it, as some of the best skiers in the world have demonstrated. Like Kirkwood, the six-peak resort almost smacks you in the face with its sheer, steep topography. The exposed ridgeline also means that if the winds pick up, the lifts may close. Surprisingly, only 30 percent of the resort is rated for experts, with almost half the 170-plus runs ideal for intermediates. Come spring, it’s best to start late and let the sun warm the hard pack and ski until the snow softens into the infamous Sierra cement, a sticky composition that’s more sludge than snow. Then retire to Squaw’s High Camp pool and hot tub near the mountain’s summit — just wear your bathing suit under your ski gear. Afterward, make like a local and ski back down to the base in your board shorts or bikini.
If Squaw feels wonderfully carnival-like, Northstar, just to the northeast, embraces the more refined, family-friendly skier’s experience. It’s geographically sheltered from the prevailing winds that can cause the Squaw lifts to close and boasts robust snowmaking coverage — the ace in the hole against a dismal ski season. The gentler pitches on the resort’s 3,170-acre mountains make for easygoing runs, though adventurous skiers can find tight, exhilarating lines through the trees when the snow is plentiful. Such was not the case on my one day there, but the groomers were wide and steady, the sun bright and strong enough to burn my pale face a bright red below my goggles. The payoff Six days after losing my luggage and wearing those glorious Hawaiian-print pants, after skiing a half-day at Heavenly with Mike the gear savior and watching the U.S. Freestyle Championships at Heavenly two days later, after squinting through an intermittent spring storm at Squaw and braving overcast conditions at Kirkwood, after driving 275 miles and taking slightly more vertical feet than my legs could handle, I ended my final day in the dizzying five-resort tour the way I had every other: exhausted and exhilarated and wishing for one more day. Northstar had delivered textbook spring skiing: few crowds, dazzling sunlight and forgiving snow on the marked slopes that got softer as the sun crawled across the sky. The trees could have used more coverage — but resorts can always use more snow. I sat on the resort’s back deck bathing in the warm sun. Soon, I’d have to make the drive to Sacramento and crash near the airport before my early flight back to Dulles. The less exciting necessities of travel. But at that moment, with the late-March sun warming my skin as I watched a few skiers getting in a few last turns on the mountain, it was clear that my gamble — spring skiing in Tahoe — had paid off big. Except that I didn’t get to keep those awesome ski pants. Borchelt is a freelance writer and photographer in Washington who skis as much as the weather and his meager budget will allow.
Friday Nov 29 2013
Placer County ski resorts ready for Thanksgiving weekend By: Gus Thomson, Journal Staff Writer Fresh from a storm that brought new snow and improved ski conditions last week, five Lake Tahoe resorts are ready for the expected influx of Thanksgiving weekend skiers and snowboarders. Nearly a foot of fresh snow arrived last week from a storm that’s now moving through the United States. The snow was perfectly timed for the majority of the area’s scheduled opening dates just before the Thanksgiving holiday, said Ski Lake Tahoe spokesman Eric Doyne. Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar California were open by last weekend. Mount Rose-Ski Tahoe and Squaw Valley joined the ranks of openLake Tahoe ski resorts on Wednesday. “The openings allow skiers and snowboarders a wide variety of choices, from miles of open trails during the Thanksgiving holiday, with more chairlifts and terrain added as conditions permit,” Doyne said.
To get ready in time for Thanksgiving, resorts have been taking advantage of cold overnight temperatures using state-of-the-art snowmaking systems to create early season coverage, he said.
Resorts are also planning kickoff events and slope-side celebrations to mark the start of ski season, Doyne said. The nine Ski Lake Tahoe resorts are showcasing more than $100 million in ongoing capital improvements this year, he said.
“It’s everything from a new ski lift this season at Sugar Bowl to some of the improvements around the lake,” Doyne said.
Besides, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mount Rose-Ski Tahoe, Squaw Valley and
Northstar California, the Ski Lake Tahoe resort group includes Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, Homewood, Alpine Meadows and Sugar Bowl. Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Diamond Peak are not in the group. Boreal has also opened for skiing. “Openings of the other resorts will depend on snowmaking and natural snowfall in the coming weeks,” Doyne said. “Ski season in Lake Tahoe typically starts around Thanksgiving, so we’re right where we need to be.” Connie Anderson, spokeswoman for the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Co-op, said that North Star and the Resort at Squaw Creek have cross-country skiing open. Nine other cross-country ski areas in the Tahoe area will be opening as snow builds. “The others will join in, weather permitting,” Anderson said. “We have a cold front coming in, which is great news.”
ETB News > America > Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts Open with Fresh Snow in Advance of Thanksgiving Holiday
Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts Open with Fresh Snow in Advance of Thanksgiving Holiday November 28, 2013 Lake Tahoe ski resorts welcomed nearly a foot of fresh snow at summit elevations last week, perfectly timed for the majority of their scheduled opening dates just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Skiers and snowboarders headed to Lake Tahoe this season will be welcomed by improvements including new ski lifts, new resort properties, extensive base area renovations and new modern amenities that enhance the overall guest experience. The nine Ski Lake Tahoe resorts are offering incredible early season deals and raucous winter kickoff celebrations for savvy skiers and snowboarders looking to start the season off on the right foot. Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar California are now open for the 2013-14 winter season. Mt. RoseSki Tahoe and Squaw Valley are planning to join the ranks of open Lake Tahoe ski resorts on Wednesday, November 27th. This will allow skiers and snowboarders a wide variety of choices from miles of open trails during the Thanksgiving holiday with additional chairlifts and terrain to be added as conditions permit. The resorts have been taking advantage of cold overnight temperatures utilizing state-of-the-art snowmaking systems to create reliable early season coverage and options for every ability level. The resorts also have made significant upgrades to their grooming fleets providing for manicured snow surfaces and cutting-edge terrain parks. In addition to great early season conditions, guests can take advantage of incredible early season deals including unbeatable stay-and-ski packages for lift ticket and lodging. Travelers can visit the Deals and Packages page on Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts' website to peruse the latest offers on lift tickets and lodging at all nine Ski Lake Tahoe resorts and their travel partners.
The resorts are also planning numerous kick-off events and slope-side celebrations to start the season on a high note. Free concerts, après ski parties and movie premieres will all add to the festive atmosphere, which is sure to reach a fever pitch at the lake-wide casino properties boasting 24/7 nightlife options and big-name entertainment. New for the 2013-14 season, the nine Ski Lake Tahoe resorts will be showcasing more than $100 million in ongoing capital improvements that have vastly enhanced the on-mountain experience and added to the countless variety of family-friendly attractions available off the slopes. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport has also completed more than $27 million in recent renovations with new nonstop air service now being offered from key gateway air cities and one-stop service available from almost anywhere in the world.
Sentinel's guide to ski and snowboarding in Northern California for the 2013-14 season By Julie jag jjag@santacruzsentinel.com POSTED: 11/28/2013 08:13:48 PM PST |
A big, ruby bar rises like a mountain out of the month of January in the Old Farmer's Almanac graph of the 2014 weather forecast for the Reno, Nev., area. It is buffeted by slightly smaller red bars rising out of December and February. The red indicates precipitation. The height denotes the amount more than the norm -almost two inches in the case of January. All together, it means snow is coming It may not seem like it now, a day removed from 70-degree highs here in Santa Cruz. Plus, trusting in a book originally published in 1792 might require putting aside some skepticism. But, think of it this way: It's been much too sunny for too long, so we're due for a cold spell; and, hey, it's a book that people have been buying consistently for nearly 225 years. That must say something about its accuracy. If not, you can always trust the Almanac's website, which states with the utmost confidence "Though weather forecasting, and long-range forecasting in particular, remains an inexact science, many longtime Almanac followers claim that our forecasts are 80-85 percent accurate." (Then again, the prognostications come from a person named Caleb Weathersbee. Publishers of the book admit the name is manufactured, but the person -- who lives somewhere in the United States -- is real). So now that your faith that there will be snow this season has been restored, it's time to choose a destination. We've broken down the Tahoe area resorts into three categories to help you best find what you're primarily looking for: Families, Entertainment and Terrain.
Of course, all the resorts will offer amenities that spill over into other categories, but this is where they seem to fit best this season. FAMILIES ALPINE MEADOWS, Dec. 13 Under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley since 2011, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. The terrain parks will look different this winter with several creative new challenges. The resort is also building itself up as the place for tweens with its new Snow Rangers program that will offer winter adventures and on-mountain training such as backcountry touring, snow science, avalanche awareness and snow camping for past ski team members ages 12-18 who have a solid base of alpine skiing. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS, Dec. 13 It's nestled within Yosemite National Park, but don't expect terrain like the face of Half Dome at Badger Pass Ski Area. A whopping 85 percent of the resorts slopes are devoted to beginner and intermediate levels, making this a great place to learn to ski or ride. Park employees have also done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tentcabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-372-8430) BEAR VALLEY, TBD The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a "C" average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL, Open Great place to learn how to handle the park. Take three lessons in any snowboard program and you'll get a free season pass. If you or someone in the family really wants to learn how to catch air fast, take lessons through Woodward Tahoe. Plus, there's a tubing hill for the really little or less adventurous. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase, discount lift tickets atLiftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-426-3666) CHINA PEAK, TBD One of the closest and easiest resorts to get to -- it's almost straight east of Santa Cruz -China Peak has added a few amenities this season. Among them, a slopeside umbrella bar
and a Mexican cantina, as well as a children's play zone. On the slopes, look for a new snowcat to keep up the groomers. China Peak is part of the Powder Alliance, so it shares some pass perks with Sierra-at-Tahoe and other resorts around the country. (skichinapeak.com; (559) 233-2500) DONNER SKI RANCH, TBD This is the place to go to introduce wee little ones to the snow. The centerpiece of the resort is its tubing hill. The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day for 2012-13, but it will be open this season. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) GRANLIBAKKEN, TBD Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) HOMEWOOD, Dec. 13 Sleepy Homewood has some major changes in store starting with the construction of lodging and a village near the North Base area beginning in 2014 as part of the resort's master plan. In the meantime, the bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new "sculpted" features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. And, buy a season pass here or at Diamond Peak and get four free non-holiday lift tickets at the other resort. (skihomewood.com; 530-525-2992) MOUNT SHASTA SKI PARK, TBD For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) TAHOE DONNER, TBD Tired of the kids saying they get too cold when you go skiing? Tahoe Donner has built a 700square-foot yurt with a large sun deck on its slopes that will be used mostly as a warming hut. The kid-friendly area has 14 runs spread over 120 acres plus a cross country ski center that has added an intermediate trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444)
TERRAIN DODGE RIDGE, TBD North of Yosemite and just southeast of Jackson (186 miles from Santa Cruz), Dodge Ridge is one of the closest ski areas. In addition, it has boosted its black-diamond terrain by adding a new T-bar surface lift to the top of its "second summit." The lift opens up about 1,000 vertical feet of in-bounds black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching kids as young as 2 to ski and 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209965-3474) JUNE MOUNTAIN, Dec. 14 June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, expects to reopen this season. In 2009, Transworld Snowboarding Magazine dubbed it the resort with the fifthbest terrain park in the United States. Located some 20 miles from Mammoth, it's offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) KIRKWOOD, Open A second year as a Vail Resort property has brought more improvement to Kirkwood, this time mostly in the form of places to pick up food or beverages. Look for the new K-bar, an outdoor umbrella bar, on the Chair 6 side of the village, plus the Cornice Bar and Grillin the village has been extensively remodeled. But with the highest base in Tahoe, and some of the most vertical feet, the terrain still reigns. Enough so that 60 of the best big mountain skiers and riders will compete there in the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800-967-7500) MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, Open One of the largest ski resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks -- once ranked No. 3 in the U.S. by Transworld Snowboarding -- have been beefed up and it has been named an official training ground for Olympic skiers and snowboarders. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Sochi, Russia. The trip to the resort may also become less of a headache. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) NORTHSTAR, Open Being the winter home of Olympic snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun White should say something about Northstar's terrain. Inside the resort, trails have been widened and trees
removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. Outside, Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Several Olympic skiers and snowboarders like White will stop at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-4666784) SQUAW VALLEY, Open This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. It's famous for its natural steep and deep slopes, but it is also adding features to its terrain parks. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-4030206) SUGAR BOWL, TBD Sugar Bowl just finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. Off the slopes, it has invested $12 million into a Sugar Bowl Academy Campus. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) ENTERTAINMENT DIAMOND PEAK, TBD The popular Last Tracks ski-party program that incorporates wineries and breweries has been expanded to include some Fridays, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free non-holiday lift tickets at the other resort. Coming in handy right now is a 50-percent improvement in snowmaking, plus tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) HEAVENLY, Open Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprĂŠs-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. Plus the resort is adding the Heavenly DJ Cat, a snow cat pimped out with a turntable and speakers to bring the party to the slopes. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several
seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) Mt. ROSE, Open It's a tough decision between putting this one in the Terrain group for its unbelievable chutes or in the Entertainment category for its proximity to the Reno casinos. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierras because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with low-cost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. An expanded lodge and Wi-Fi service are the biggest improvements for now, but the resort is exploring adding terrain across Mount Rose Highway that would include a new chairlift and 11 new runs. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) SIERRA-AT-TAHOE, TBD Sierra looked to be the resort left behind when Vail bought up sister area Northstar a few years back. Instead, it's growing, including a major facelift of the base area with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. It's also long been known for its terrain parks and shares pass perks with China Peak. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) ALSO ROYAL GORGE, TBD Long an expansive cross country-only resort on Donner Summit, Royal Gorge is introducing fat-tire snow biking this winter. Guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000)
Snow in the Sierra for start of ski season -- but plenty of it is machinemade Julia Prodis Sulek/San Jose Mercury News POSTED: 11/28/2013 02:07:10 AM PST
The silence of snowfall isn't gracing the traditional start of the Sierra ski season this Thanksgiving weekend -- it's the rumble of snow-making machines in overdrive. Although a huge storm is pelting the East Coast, impeding holiday travel from Florida to Maine, California is still suffering through its driest calendar year in recorded history. Real snow in Tahoe? Bring it on. From skiers and snowboarders to resort operators and water-watchers, all are hoping for a wet winter to end all this talk about drought. A downpour last week was a good start to the wet season, bringing 8 to 12 inches of snow to the Sierra, but another storm that was supposed to hit Northern California on Thanksgiving appears to be bypassing the region and heading south instead. The next weather system isn't expected until the middle of next week. �It's going to be critical what happens the next few months entering the rainy season to see if we can make up the difference and go above normal for a while,� said National Weather Service meteorologist Charles Bell. Heavenly Mountain Resort, Squaw Valley, Borreal, Kirkwood and Northstar are among the Tahoe resorts open for the holiday. Thanksgiving has always been iffy for the start of ski season. Some Bay Area ski rental shops don't even start renting equipment until mid-December for fear the gear will be chewed up by exposed rocks and dirt. Given the dry year, Squaw Valley on Lake Tahoe's north shore is operating only six of 29 runs, and Heavenly on the south shore has opened just 2 percent of the mountain.
”At this time of year, it just depends on what Mother Nature sets up,” said Squaw Valley spokeswoman Amelia Richmond. “We've got 10 inches of snow and vastly improved our snowmaking system. You're very rarely going to have the full mountain open around Thanksgiving, but I think we're happy with what we have to offer opening day.” Ah, for 2012, which had the wettest November and December on record. On Thanksgiving last year, Squaw Valley was boasting 86 inches of snowfall by then, compared to 33 inches now. That early precipitation kept fears of drought at bay. And while much has been made of the lack of rain during this calendar year, meteorologist Jan Null says it doesn't look as dire when you review the rainfall season, which runs from July 1 through June 30. ”We've had 1.69 inches of rain so far this season,” he said, which is a quarter of what had been measured last season at this time at a San Francisco station that keeps records going back to 1849. “Out of 164 years, 34 other years have had less than that the first five months of the season. I don't see the fact that we had a low total at this point as being extraordinary.”
Stay at these 7 ski hubs By SUSAN GREENWOOD, The Guardian POSTED: 11/26/13, 9:39 PM EST | UPDATED: ON 11/27/2013
Reno March in Reno, Nevada, isn’t particularly cold. The average daily high is around 50 °F. Beige and gold, dust and sand, glittering neon and glinting glass – the entire cityscape hollers heat, revels in sunlight, and bathes in the sparkling flow of cash in and out of the casinos. At first glance, it doesn’t appear to be a place you’d associate with skiing. Yet within an hour’s drive of the city centre are a glut of resorts – some big, some small, all offering knee-deep powder and a local feel. Like its Colorado counterpart Denver, Reno, on the Nevada-California border, is a city most skiers fly into and head straight out of to their resort of choice. But there are benefits to sticking around – and these are not limited to the obligatory breakfast bloody mary offered by the casinos. While I recommend the bloody marys at Peppermill hotel and casino, I was more excited about the dull sky and snow-heavy clouds overhead as we made our way up to the resort of Mount Rose. The 30-minute drive saw the dry landscape morph into pine trees, mist and great dollops of snow. We passed a car that had skidded off the road on the black ice, languishing in a ditch as police cars rallied, but we managed to
arrive unscathed. The petite nature of the main lodge belied the 1,200 acres of steep terrain and superb tree runs that awaited us – chute after chute of perfect powder popping out at the base of Chuter chair, which took us to the top to do it all again. And meeting locals was a breeze as we kept bumping into the same people. It snowed all day, so we headed for the trees, which provided markers and broke up the whiteness, and when the sun finally came out for our final hour, we were treated to a glistening view of Lake Tahoe in the distance, trees resplendent in their snowy attire. The day was topped off with a pint of Shock Top (a Belgian white beer that Mount Rose skiers seem to have made their own) in the main lodge bar. Kids wet through from snow and exertion greeted parents, parents greeted each other, ski instructors had laughs with punters and the whole lodge hummed with the vibe of a community celebrating a great day on the hill. Mount Rose isn’t the only place within shouting distance of Reno. Another 10 minutes up the road is Diamond Peak (blink and you’ll miss it) with its locals-only-know powder glades. The behemoth of North Star — 3,170 acres of terrain, superpipes, freestyle parks, shops, restaurants and bars — is an hour away. Then there’s Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood, Homewood and Heavenly. The majority of these resorts would not by themselves hold a skier’s interest for a 10-day trip, but put them together and you’ve got an itinerary to keep even the hardiest skier entertained. Acting as the apex for all these resorts is Reno, which also probably wouldn’t be
enough to keep you entertained for a full trip. But break each day into wake up, ski, night in Reno, and throw in the odd day off, and out of the neon and gambling-den mire emerges a lotus of a city. Reno is famously the place where divorce is quick and painless – in the 1961 film The Misfits, Marilyn Monroe threw her wedding ring into the Truckee river which snakes through downtown. It’s not all about endings, though. Small businesses and restaurants are pushing up in between the casinos like green shoots, and the river constantly drags your eye towards the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Java Jungle, all band posters, open mic nights and poetry readings, served up a cracking cup of organic chai. Sundance Books is a haven of fairy lights and cushy sofas in a classic revival style building — and is said to have its own ghost. The Riverwalk is the prettiest part of town, with restaurants serving organic local produce to streetside diners. And although Reno isn’t a cultural hub, the Nevada Museum of Art carries some interesting exhibitions. It’s a far cry from Las Vegas, but offering as it does the chance to ski little-known local hills, then ditch the thermals and eat citrus-marinated tofu with swiss chard in a buzzy downtown, a trip to Reno feels like two holidays for the price of one. Denver Denver doesn’t have the mild identity crisis that seems to afflict Reno. It’s very confident of its place in the world — the gateway to the Rockies, a vibrant cultural scene mixing effortlessly with the outdoor life. The Mercury Cafe is a great example of this. While
savouring a pint of Treehugger from the list of microbrews as we waited for our dinner of local veggies and organic meats, a poetry slam gave way to jazz flutes and a touch of wailing from the performance room. Its artsy vibe is mirrored in the River North area of the city — all yoga studios and raw-food restaurants. Linger is a former mortuary that’s been converted into an eatery where the cocktails are as good as the panoramic view of downtown. Equally inspiring are the indie music venues, record shops, thrift stores and dive bars in and around East Colfax Avenue. If Pete’s Satire Lounge has changed at all since Bob Dylan gigged there as a teenager before he moved to New York, it’s hard to tell. But as well as being yoga mat and tattoo parlour central, Denver is arguably one of the best hubs for skiing in North America. Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail, Winter Park, Beaver Creek and Arapahoe Basin are within a two-hour drive. They all offer superb skiing and all of them except Winter Park and Copper Mountain are owned by Vail Resorts and so covered by its Epic Pass. Instead of spending a week in one resort, you can ski them all without buying a new pass. You can also hire skis in one resort and drop them off at the end of your trip in another. All of which points to exploration rather than hanging out in one resort. It’s not a plan that will suit everyone, but if you want the freedom to ski where the snow is good and fancy seeing a bit more than snowscapes — it is a long way to go just to ski — Denver is a great
option. • The trip was provided by Crystal Ski (0871 231 2256, crystalski.co.uk) which offers a week at the Peppermill Casino in Reno from £1,044pp for seven nights (based on two sharing) including American Airlines flights via Los Angeles. Car hire starts from £182 a week including insurance. British Airways (ba.com) flies London-Denver from £667 return in December. Hotel Monaco in Denver (+1 303 296 1717, monaco-denver.com) has doubles from $170 a nght. The Ski Lake Tahoe six-day lift pass (skilaketahoe.com) costs $329 and covers Heavenly, Kirkwood, Squaw, Sierra, Northstar and Mount Rose. The seven-days Epic Pass for Colorado (snow.com) costs $569 and covers Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps, Mount Brighton and Arapahoe Basin Munich, Germany There are several ski regions within an hour or two of Munich, Bavaria’s cultured capital. Among the best-known is Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with 59km of pistes, which includes Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze. Rail operator Bayerische Oberlandbahn offers combined train and ski-lift tickets to Bad Tölz and Lake Tegernsee. Deutsche Bahn trains also serve Bavarian Alpine resorts, including Berchtesgaden. Ski buses go to Austrian resorts St Johann in Tirol, Hochzillertal/Hochfügen and Grossglockner-Resort, while Bavaria also has excellent backcountry skiing for off-the-beaten track adventures. For more information, visist muenchen.de. Geneva, Switzerland
The swish city of Geneva has numerous French ski sites within striking distance. Some of the Mont Blanc resorts, including Chamonix, are an hour away, as is the huge ski region of the Grand Massif (Samoëns, Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon); Grand Bornand and La Clusaz in Aravis; and Les Gets in Portes du Soleil. Within two hours’ drive are Paradiski, Tarentaise and Les Trois Vallées, which includes Courchevel and Méribel. For more information, visit skigeneva.co.uk. Vancouver, Canada Vancouver, host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, has three local mountains: Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain and Mount Seymour. Cypress is 30 minutes from the city centre and has downhill and cross-country skiing, snowtubing and snowshoeing. Grouse is even closer: 15 minutes from downtown. Whistler, North America’s largest ski resort, is a two-hour drive north along the scenic Sea-to-Sky highway; buses and trains also take that route. For more information, visit tourismvancouver.com. Queenstown, New Zealand This is New Zealand’s best ski base, with bars, bungee jumps and four ski areas. Coronet Peak, 25 minutes away, has roller coaster terrain and night skiing; the Remarkables (50 minutes), is best for beginners; Cardrona (55 minutes) is the biggest close to the city; and Treble Cone (90 minutes) is ideal for advanced and off-piste skiers. For more information, visit newzealand.com. Sapporo, Japan
Japan’s fifth-largest city is one of its snowiest, hosting an annual snow festival. Ski resorts within day-trip distance include Teine, 45 minutes away, a mix of beginners’ slopes and steep tree skiing. Kokusai (60 minutes) gets busy but has lots of quiet off-piste areas. Kiroro is 70 minutes’ drive; nearby Asari is good on windy days; and lavish Tomamu is an 80-minute train ride away. For more information, visist. powderhounds.com. This article originally appeared on guardian.co.uk
Friday Nov 29 2013
Placer County ski resorts ready for Thanksgiving weekend By: Gus Thomson, Journal Staff Writer
Fresh from a storm that brought new snow and improved ski conditions last week, five Lake Tahoe resorts are ready for the expected influx of Thanksgiving weekend skiers and snowboarders.
Nearly a foot of fresh snow arrived last week from a storm that’s now moving through the United States.
The snow was perfectly timed for the majority of the area’s scheduled opening dates just before the Thanksgiving holiday, said Ski Lake Tahoe spokesman Eric Doyne. Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar California were open by last weekend. Mount Rose-Ski Tahoe and Squaw Valley joined the ranks of openLake Tahoe ski resorts on Wednesday. “The openings allow skiers and snowboarders a wide variety of choices, from
miles of open trails during the Thanksgiving holiday, with more chairlifts and terrain added as conditions permit,” Doyne said. To get ready in time for Thanksgiving, resorts have been taking advantage of cold overnight temperatures using state-of-the-art snowmaking systems to create early season coverage, he said. Resorts are also planning kickoff events and slope-side celebrations to mark the start of ski season, Doyne said.
The nine Ski Lake Tahoe resorts are showcasing more than $100 million in ongoing capital improvements this year, he said.
Michael McLaughlin The Aspen Times Back to: NEWS November 28, 2013 Follow News
He was born a traveling man Here’s a quick quiz that will test your knowledge of geography. If someone asks you to name as many countries as you can, how many can you come up with? Fifty? Maybe 75? It’s not as easy as it sounds, but there is one man in Aspen who can name at least 175, because that’s how many countries he’s visited. Johnny Walker just returned this past month from a visit to North Korea, marking the 175th country he’s been to. Walker is originally from Dallas and made Aspen his home in 1993. He first visited the area in the late 1970s on a ski trip and, like so many people, fell in love with Aspen immediately. A former restaurateur, Walker owned 28 restaurants, including the old Judge Bean’s in Aspen, which he ran for two years in the early 1980s, before retiring from the business. “Judge Bean’s was a good restaurant,” Walker said. “But I didn’t like the rent or the offseason.” He raised his daughters, Hailee and Bree, in Aspen, pays his taxes here and still calls it his home. As much as Walker still enjoys living in Aspen, he hasn’t been able to kick the travel bug since it bit him years ago. STARTING YOUNG The first country Walker visited was Cuba with his father when he was 15. The images from that trip will remain with Walker for the rest of his life.
Not only did he see showgirls dancing at the Tropicana resort, but he saw Ernest Hemingway gambling at a craps table. “I didn’t know who he was until my dad pointed him out and explained a bit about him,” Walker said. “It was a very glamorous place, especially with Hemingway there.” After attending North Texas State and Louisiana State University, where he played a year of college baseball, he became a traveling salesman for 10 years. As he went from state to state on business, he began to realize how much he enjoyed traveling. During that same time, he began dating a woman who worked for an airline and was a ski instructor at Squaw Valley, Calif. “We ended up skiing all over North America and Europe,” Walker said. “She was an outstanding skier, and I had to really improve to keep up with her.” One of those ski trips was to Aspen, beginning his love affair with the Roaring Fork Valley. He enjoyed the area so much, he took a year off from work to be a ski bum in Aspen. “I still love it here and always will,” he said. All the traveling he did as a salesman and a skier led Walker to his next journey, which was to open his own restaurant. After eating at so many, he figured he knew a thing or two about the business, and he returned to Dallas in 1973 to open his first restaurant, H.P. Cassidy, with his friend and partner, ex-NFL quarterback Craig Morton. The venture was a success and gave Walker the financial support to open other restaurants and to continue traveling. He married his wife, Jan, in 1979 and kept returning to Aspen to ski. Ten years later while visiting Aspen, two friends approached Walker and asked him if he was interested in joining them on a trip to the North Pole. They made it to the top of the world successfully, and later that same year, the same two men invited him to take a trip to the South Pole. With young children and holidays approaching, Walker passed on going but told himself he eventually would make the journey. It was 1997 when he finally decided to make the South Pole trip, but daughter Hailee, who was 13 at the time, wanted to go. Walker agreed and, despite the many hardships and extreme weather, made it to the pole.
“To this day, Hailee is the youngest woman to reach the South Pole,” Walker said. “She proved how tough she was on that trip.” Walker has been to all seven continents, sampled foods he couldn’t begin to identify and come to the realization that while countries and governments may be very different, the common bond is always the people. “There’s a connection to each other everywhere I’ve been,” he said. “There may be some superficial differences, but the bottom line is we’re all human beings. Once we begin to communicate, the barriers seem to fall fast.” THE CENTURY CLUB As Walker continued to travel, he told his travel agent that he thought he was finally reaching his 100th country. The agent then told him about the “Century Club,” a group that awards people who visit different countries. The club awards people with a copper pin at country 100, a silver pin at 150 and a gold pin if they make it to 200 countries. A recent trip to North Korea puts Walker at 175 countries visited. He owns the silver pin, but he hesitates when he considers the gold pin. “I’m not sure what I want to do,” he said. “I’m satisfied at 175, but we have a few more countries we want to visit. If I make it to 190 or so, I’m pretty sure I’ll feel obligated to make it to 200.” Jan Walker said she’s been to 160 countries and that her husband has been to more because he’s older than she is. When asked what motivates Walker to visit so many countries, he said it’s a love of discovery that emanates from his soul. “I love meeting people and learning about different cultures,” Walker said. “Really, I’m advancing my own knowledge and learning about peoples from all over the world. Now I see countries on television, and I can really relate to what I see.” Walker has visited China 18 years in a row. He lists Hong Kong as one of his favorite places to visit, along with Venice, Italy, describing it as romantic and beautiful. He’s not a huge fan of Muslim countries. Walker didn’t like the way they treated women or the fact that the majority of people in those countries wouldn’t look at a person directly in their eyes. His recent trip to North Korea puts that country high on his list of countries he didn’t like.
“It was the darkest of the dark there,” he said. “My impression was that the 20 million people there are more or less living in jail. There’s no private enterprise, nobody walking on the streets, and every time we ate a restaurant, we were the only people there.” Up next will be trips to Venezuela and Iran. Jan Walker is pushing for a visit to Switzerland. “After North Korea, it sounds a little tame,” she said. “But I hear they have good chocolate there.”
Friday Nov 29 2013
Placer County ski resorts ready for Thanksgiving weekend By: Gus Thomson, Journal Staff Writer Fresh from a storm that brought new snow and improved ski conditions last week, five Lake Tahoe resorts are ready for the expected influx of Thanksgiving weekend skiers and snowboarders. Nearly a foot of fresh snow arrived last week from a storm that’s now moving through the United States. The snow was perfectly timed for the majority of the area’s scheduled opening dates just before the Thanksgiving holiday, said Ski Lake Tahoe spokesman Eric Doyne. Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar California were open by last weekend. Mount Rose-Ski Tahoe and Squaw Valley joined the ranks of openLake Tahoe ski resorts on Wednesday. “The openings allow skiers and snowboarders a wide variety of choices, from miles of open trails during the Thanksgiving holiday, with more chairlifts and terrain added as conditions permit,” Doyne said.
To get ready in time for Thanksgiving, resorts have been taking advantage of cold overnight temperatures using state-of-the-art snowmaking systems to create early season coverage, he said.
Resorts are also planning kickoff events and slope-side celebrations to mark the start of ski season, Doyne said. The nine Ski Lake Tahoe resorts are showcasing more than $100 million in ongoing capital improvements this year, he said.
Sunday Dec 08 2013 0 comments
Historic Granlibakken provides unique winter experience It’s easy to overlook the road heading into historic Norwegian-like village By: Jeff Weidel Granite Bay View Correspondent
Although its hill is extremely modest and barely garners a mention among Lake Tahoe’s many famed ski resorts, for several decades Granlibakken was known as the only winter playground in the entire Lake Tahoe basin. Never heard of Granlibakken? That’s not surprising. Drive too swiftly along scenic Highway 89 on Tahoe’s scenic west shore and it’s easy to overlook the road that heads into this historic Norwegian-like village. Occupying 74 beautifully wooded acres in this picturesque mountain valley, Granlibakken is located a half-mile from Tahoe City. It provides a link to the past, a reminder that some ski hills were once small in stature and remain devoid of the sophistication that typifies today’s mega resorts.
In 1929, seven-time Norwegian ski jumping champion Lars Haugen designed a ski jump hill at what’s now known as Granlibakken, clearing an area of trees and establishing a 60-meter jump that became known as Olympic Hill. The hill
quickly gained fame and hosted the Olympic Trials and the U.S. Championships in 1932. Granlibakken was the first official ski resort in the Tahoe basin, where two years later in 1949, Squaw Valley had its modest beginnings. Today, Granlibakken still sports a ski hill, but it’s more suited for snow play than skiing or snowboarding. A lone tow rope carries people to the top of a
small hill for the quick downhill trek. On the opposite side of the ski slope, a sledding area receives much more attention.
“Granlibakken is really a family friendly place,” said Heather Himmelmann, who has visited Granlibakken several times with her husband and young daughter.
“It’s a great beginner hill for my daughter. She’s taken lessons here and keeps making good progress each year. The price is right and we really enjoy our stay.” More serious skiers and riders use Granlibakken for a convenient lodging location they can book for a bargain price. An interchangeable lift ticket costs $150 per person and provides lodging at Granlibakken and an extremely
generous buffet breakfast, plus choice of a lift ticket at Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Northstar, Homewood, Heavenly, Mt. Rose or Sugar Bowl. While serving as a serene, isolated place for families to vacation, Granlibakken is an even bigger lure as a conference destination. “In the winter we’re in the ski business, but we’re in the conference business all year round,” said Kay Williams, Granlibakken’s resort manager. “We’re not a Holiday Inn. You get treated to a real experience here. Granlibakken is a beautiful location and we treat you like a member of the family.” Granlibakken guests can ski and sled all day for $15. The outdoor heated pool and hot tub-sauna area are open year-round. The popular Pub restaurant will
open Dec. 20 for the season. Both the Pub and the Cedar Creek restaurant are open weekends and holidays. The Treetop Adventure Park course is situated on the Granlibakken property
and participants climb to an initial starting point on a tree platform, then travel through the forest on an aerial trek anywhere from 15-50 feet in the air. The
park, for ages 5 and above, comprises a series of courses, linking tree platform to tree platform with a variety of bridges and zip lines.
Visiting Granlibakken has become tradition for Bonnie Zweben, of El Cerrito, who was married at this picturesque mountain valley in 2004.
“The kids really enjoy all the things you can do at Granlibakken” Zweben said.
“The price here is reasonable, more than at other places. We have a kitchen in our room, bring groceries, and once we arrive we never have to leave the property. This is a great place to vacation both winter and summer.”
FUN IN THE SNOW — YOUR GUIDE TO FAMILY VACATIONS ON THE SKI SKI SLOPES AND BEYOND November 29, 2013
Snow is falling in New England, the Rockies and Sierras; time to use our comprehensive guide to the top family ski resorts and introduce a loved one to snow sports this season. Humans were never meant to hibernate in winter. There’s too much fun to be had in the snow, whether you want to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, cross-country ski, sled, build snowmen or snow forts or make snow angels. Winter is a great time to find packages and deals, too. Travel portals likeHotwire let you shop for flights, cars and lodging all in one spot. Instead of flying or driving, why not take the bus and leave dangerous winter driving to them? Instead of a hotel or condo, consider a renting a house — Wyndham Vacation Rentals offers choices at dozens of resorts, in every price range and for every size group. Of course, some families want to mix their snowsports with urban sightseeing for a two-in-one vacation that really appeals to multigenerational groups. It’s easy to start in San Francisco and drive to Lake Tahoe; tour Seattle before skiing at WhistlerBlackcomb; head to Maine and New Hampshire via Boston – all fun cities for all ages. Treat the family to affordable luxury with the Elves and Eggnog package at Omni Hotels & Resorts; their 20% off winter special includes a fun holiday turndown service delivered by hotel elves. Be sure to pick up CityPASS ticket booklets in advance so you can skip the lines at the top attractions, meanwhile saving up to half off on individual admission prices. Beginning December 15, CityPASS is waiving their nine-day rule and extending the passes’ usage period, so that travelers to Boston, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia and Seattle will have until February 28, 2014 to redeem all the included attraction tickets. That means if you cut out early to ski, you can come back through President’s Day and have admission tickets all sewn up. Teach the Whole Family to Enjoy Snow sports Take the Bring a Friend Challenge, a new element of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM). It’s open to all current skiers and snowboarders including members of the industry. The Challenge offers incentives for current skiers and snowboarders who introduce newcomers to lessons from professional instructors this winter. The Challenge starts December 1, 2013 and ends March 14, 2014. Details are located atbringafriend.org. You can win prizes and even a free trip to a snow resort. January, of course is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in 2014. Special Features offers a quick overview with all of the places where you can get discounted— or possibly even free lessons and rentals. You can also follow the deals on Twitter and Facebook.
Look for new opportunities to explore new mountains– like the Mountain Collective– an unprecedented collaboration between the four top independent resorts: Alta, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows that offers 50% off on lift tickets and 25% on lodging. Find Mountain Collective packages and deals. You can snowshoe in national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton. See what I wrote about snowshoeing with kids and what I wrote aboutvisiting Yellowstone in Winter. You can also experience winter at a dude ranch like the C Lazy U and Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado where you can snowshoe, horseback ride in the snow, XC ski and even back country ski with a snow cat taking you up the hills so you can ski or snowboard down on private land. And you won’t need to cook a single meal either! See what I wrote about visiting Vista Verde in winter. Many snow sports resorts are pulling out all the stops for families this season with increased programming, free lift tickets and free flights. Look for deals from companies like www.ski.com that can package lifts, lessons, lodging and air and can tell you where and when your kids can hit the slopes with free lift tickets. Here’s what I wrote about kids-free programs this season. Check out companies like Black Tie Rentals that will deliver gear right to where you are staying and adjust it on the spot. (I loved the convenience at Aspen last year.) Many locations offer a kids-rent-free package throughout the season for kids 12 and under. Ski Butlers has deals in Steamboat and Telluride where kids rent free if you do an adult rental for five or more days. Values at Resorts that Cater to Beginners If everyone in your gang is a beginner, consider smaller mountains near where you live – Hunter Mountain in New York, for example, Crystal Mountain in Michigan, Brian Head Resort in Utah, Bolton Valley in Vermont and Mount Rose on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. They will invariably be cheaper and less overwhelming for the kids — and you. Check what snow sports resorts near your home are offering for families this season: In New Hampshire, check: www.skinh.com/ski-central/kids-and-families.aspx In Vermont: www.skivermont.com In Maine: www.skimaine.com In Colorado: www.skicolorado.com In Utah: www.skiutah.com In California: www.californiaskiresorts.com Several states also offer “passports” for kids of certain ages allowing them to ski free — once you have filled out the paperwork and paid a small processing fee — all season. They include: Fourth graders in New York Fifth graders in Vermont Fourth and fifth graders in New Hampshire
Fifth, sixth and seventh graders in Maine Fifth and sixth graders in Utah The Colorado 2013/2014 School of Shred Pass provides 4 free days of skiing or riding at each of the state’s top-ranked resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin for all Colorado fifth and sixth grade students who register. Lessons and rentals are provided from December 2-15, as well as January 531, 2014 as part of “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.” Check with your state to see what they are offering for your grade schoolers. The Canadian Ski Council’s SnowPass allows 4th and 5th graders living in Canada to ski and ride three times at each participating ski area all across Canada for less than CDN$30 — the pass processing fee valid for two years. There are also many adaptive programs around the country for those with physical and mental challenges including the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, CO; the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center also in Colorado; the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah, andVermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. There are lots of opportunities for moms and grandmas to hone their skills at women’s clinics around the country. Here’s what I wrote about my experience at The Canyons in Utah. Eileen’s Favorite Family Ski and Snow Resorts: I’ve written extensively about many of the top ski areas in North America (just search my columns and travel diaries for more information). Here are resorts and lodges in alphabetical order that are good bets for families this winter: ALTA SKI AREA in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon is adjacent to the chicSnowbird (you can purchase a combined ticket) but its retro style, lack of commercial development, and ban on snowboarding transport families back to the days before ski areas were all about glitz. Stay in an old-fashioned lodge that will entertain your kids after ski school and feed them early so you can enjoy a gourmet meal after hitting some of the best expert terrain in Utah. Lift ticket prices are less than at other major ski resorts, too, and the three base area tow ropes (Grizzly tow, Transfer tow and Alta Lodge tow) are free all day, every day. APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB in New England offers snow-loving families a different kind of winter outdoor adventure, cross country skiing, snow-shoeing, and iceskating. You can even plan a winter cross-country skiing adventure; AMC offers selfguided and guided tours on its 80+ mile network of lodge-served, groomed, backcountry ski trails in the 100-mile wilderness region of Maine. Guests can ski from lodgeto-lodge and enjoy home-cooked meals, private cabins, and gear shuttling between adventures. Custom adventures are available at both AMC’s Joe Dodge Lodge and Highland Lodge in the White Mountains and families can pick the activity, time and skill level at and a guide for the family. For information on backcountry skiing from lodge-tolodge can be found here.
ASPEN I love Aspen for its history (this was a bona fide mining town after all), its quaint downtown, restaurants, nightlife and the fact that, although this is a celebrity playground, you and your family can enjoy yourselves amidst the glitz and glamour without a Hollywood star’s budget. You have your choice of four mountains — Aspen, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass which is family-central (see separate listing about Snowmass below). Aspen Mountain, with its famous black-diamond terrain, promises a variety of glades, bumps and steeps. Here’s what I wrote about first tracks on Aspen Mountain. With 360º views of the Maroon Bells and plenty of expert terrain as well as groomed cruisers, Aspen Highlands has been the locals’ favorite for over 50 years. Hike the 12,392 feet to the summit of Highland Bowl for the ultimate inbounds backcountry rush. Buttermilk built its 50-year legacy on wide-open and gently rolling trails that cater to beginners and families. Today it’s famous for hosting the ESPN Winter X Games through 2014 and being voted #1 by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine Reader’s Poll for best park. The 22-foot superpipe in the legendary terrain park does not disappoint. BEAVER CREEK Colorado is a great resort for mixing luxury and winter activities. Wellheeled families love this Vail resort because it is smaller than Vail and more laid back while offering first-class service and a terrific ski school, not to mention the free freshbaked cookies offered at 3 pm every day at the bottom of lift #6 (a great way to end the ski day!) Moms looking for some special “me” time can look forward to the Women’s Social Ski Tour, a complimentary two-hour women’s tours led by a dynamic female ski school instructor Tuesdays-Fridays. Following the tour, the group enjoys a hot cocoa break at one of Beaver Creek’s on-mountain cabins; this is a great opportunity for a mom who, after getting the family off on day one of their ski trip, can take a few moments for herself and socialize with other women around the resort. The Ultimate 4 offers kids a lesson with only four kids per instructor while the resort promises plenty of complimentary activities after the lifts close from rail jams and disco skating to family snowshoe tours and fireworks. Don’t forget the lift-served tubing hill that opened three years ago. Enjoy special family programming during “Beaver Creek Loves Kids” weeks, making the Mountains come to life during peak times of the season. This includes Winterfest from Dec. 21 – January 4, PrezFest February 15-21, and SpringFest March 8-April 19 (Closing day is April 20). BIG SKY RESORT Montana The Big Sky Resort has completed its merger with nearby Moonlight Basin to offer the biggest ski terrain in the United States — you can now access 5,750 skiable acres and endless ways to navigate 4,350 feet of vertical drop. At 11,166 feet it’s easy to see Lone Peak’s appeal to every age and level of skier and boarder. Runs up to six miles long and glades and bowls covered in 400 plus inches of annual snowfall make a day on the slopes something different for everyone. Basecamp, located front and center in the Mountain Village offers information on all the exciting attractions like Zipline, High Ropes Course,Laser Tag, Bungee Trampoline and Tube Park. All activities are offered. See what I wrote about doing the zipline. Another plus: You are only an hour from Yellowstone National Park. BRECKENRIDGE SKI RESORT is in the middle of a historic Colorado town and has
been a family-adored destination for over 50 years. With over 200 restaurants, shops and more, Breckenridge is often dubbed the perfect mountain town. Check out One Ski Hill Place, a newer Rock Resort complete with its own bowling alley. Here’s what I wrote about our visit there. Also Breckenridge fans will be excited to know that the resort will release the largest ski expansion in over a decade. This season, Breckenridge will have one of its most exciting years ever, as the resort adds over 540 acres to its famous landscape via the Peak 6 are just north of Peak 7. Peak 6 will include 400 acres of lift-served terrain and 143 acres of hike-to terrain, and will feature high-alpine, intermediate bowl skiing – a rare find in North America. If you visit between Dec 3-7, you will be able to catch The Annual Hartford Ski Spectacular, an event of Disabled Sports USA. With the “Breck for a Buck” deal you score a free lift ticket and a free night of lodging if you stay and ski three days! BOLTON VALLEY RESORT is the only Vermont resort to offer night skiing and riding (Wed, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights) when tweens and teens rule. You can also give your kids a lesson in being green—the wind turbine near the top of Vista quad produces an eighth of the resort’s energy needs. You’ll run into a lot of locals from Burlington here and because everything is within walking distance-lodging, lifts, pool- it is an easy place to navigate with kids. Bolton’s three terrain parks, the 300 acres of trails and glades are divided almost equally for novice, intermediate and advanced skiers and riders. Bolton Valley, having partnered with Burton in 2006, offers a unique “Learn to Ride” program, combining the most advanced equipment, instruction, and learning environments to provide an excellent snowboarding experience and bring your skills to a new level. Powder Passes are great for families that enjoy skiing but don’t need the commitment of full season passes. For just $199 for adults and $149 for youth/college/seniors, you’ll get five lift tickets that you can use any day during the 2013-14 season — with no blackout dates. Here’s what I wroteabout Bolton Valley and how snow sports can change kids’ lives. BOYNE Boyne Highlands Resort and Boyne Mountain Resort are Michigan’s two largest ski areas with a combined 850 skiable acres and 115 trails, the 2013-14 winter season brings on-hill investments, new Burton Riglet Parks and Burton Store, spa facility, hotel renovations, winter fly fishing trips and an expanded Tubing Park. There’s an indoor water park the kids are sure to love and a winter zipline at Boyne Highlands that’s guaranteed to please tweens, teens—and adventurous parents. New this year is the Extreme Body Slide at Boyne Mountain’s Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark. The hair-raising ride named The Big Couloir features a trap door plummeting riders into the extreme body slide and traveling at speeds up to 38 feet per second before finishing with a splash. Resort lodging guests receive discounted waterpark admission, and guests can also purchase Michigan’s only ski and splash ticket providing all-day access to slope gliding and waterpark sliding. BROMLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT is the only ski area in Vermont that faces totally south which means it could be warmer. Families love this mountain because it is more intimate with varied terrain including four terrain parks (one just for kids) and plenty of off-the-slopes action including outlet shopping, ice skating, sleigh riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing! Combine Bromley’s $49 midweek/non-holiday ticket with
Bromley’s fantastic Family Friday deal, where each paying adult pays just $15 per kid for up to three kids, except for holidays, and a family of four skis for just $128. Enjoy 2fer Tuesdays by purchasing your lift ticket online. You’ll get a 2 for 1 deal on Tuesdays (non holiday) and you and a guest ski for less than $25! Another perk — save $15 on each consecutive day when you purchase your Multi-Day ticket online. Purchase tickets one calendar day in advance on Bromley.com to enjoy these deals. COPPER MOUNTAIN in Colorado. Copper’s terrain is naturally divided for all abilities and includes fantastic bowl skiing. Off slope, three base villages have redefined the Copper experience with accommodations, restaurants, bars and shops. Copper is also home to the only year-round ski and snowboard program in the state. Offering winter day camps and week-long summer camps, Woodward at Copper has the Barn, the first indoor ski and snowboard training facility with trampolines, foam pits, and Snowflex jumps dedicated to terrain park and pipe progression. In Summer 2013, the Woodward at Copper Barn underwent a half-million dollar renovation which opened the door far beyond snowboards and skis to now include skateboards, BMX and slopestyle mountain bikes. All Snowflex surfaces were replaced with a surface designed for wheels called Skatelite. Families and amateurs alike are invited to experience the renovations expanded offerings for never-evers with additions including a new beginner foam pit with a 2-foot and 4-foot jumps, a pump track designed for the development of park skills, and new programming to bridge the gap and see results on snow. There are also free snow cat rides to Tucker Mountain, FreeRide electric car service and free snowshoe tours daily. Check out the Youth Four Pack – a new offering from Copper Mountain’s Ski and Ride School and Woodward at Copper. Buy 4 lessons at once and use them later. Mix and match what kind of lessons to book, between Ski and Ride Lessons or Woodward Freestyle Lessons with total flexibility. Visit CopperColorado.com for more information.
Colorado combines a friendly, picturesque small town (just a few blocks long!), plenty of steeps and deeps and a new base area Adventure Park for a guaranteed-to-please
experience. This mountain has long been one of my family’s favorites. We think the fact that CB is harder to reach than some other resorts adds to the appeal. There’s plenty to do at CB including: bungee trampolines a climbing wall, and a zip-line that you can ski to, as well as the Coke Zero Gravity BagJump, where you can jump from 20 or 30 feet into a big bag of air for an adrenaline-inducing experience. Families love the Children’s Center and beginner learning area. This year save big on a Crested Butte vacation with the exciting Grandest Christmas Package; spend $999 for the whole family with 4 nights of lodging and 3 days of skiing for up to a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children 17 years and younger) on stays from December 13th to the 26th. Or take up CB on its special airline credit offerthat will save up to $400/person on airfare. Also take advantage of CB’s special 4th night and 4th day free option: purchase three nights of lodging and three days of lift tickets between January 3 and March 8, 2014 and receive a fourth night of lodging and fourth day of skiing free. And also note that kids 12 and under ski and stay free when you book lodging and lift tickets from March 14 to April 6, 2014. HEAVENLY RESORT in California overlooks Lake Tahoe. You can ski in California or Nevada! The kids will love the all new, 500-foot tubing hill at Adventure Peak. Kids enjoy the adventure zone called Black Bear Hollow at the top of the Gondola. Right next to the Hollow is an entry-level terrain park with small rails, gentle jumps and boxes meant for youngsters to explore. You’ll love the 34 miles of wide-open, groomed cruisers, and the option for tree skiing off of every lift, as well as sightseeing, ski bikes and snowshoeing. If your teens are angling to go in the back country, you can hire a guide from Heavenly’s Adventure Sessions program, check out and find out what the locals know about. Pay for five nights lodging at Heavenly and receive the sixth and seventh nights free when you book by November 15. Also, if you pay for four days lodging and three days of lift, your fifth night and fourth day are free. From December 19 to January 5, experience “Heavenly Holidays,” a holiday winter wonderland in Heavenly Village with lights, decorations, carolers, magicians, jugglers, live ice sculpture making, a Ripperoo Parade, and more family-friendly events. JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming not only offers the chance to ski and ride but to explore an authentic Cowboy town and Yellowstone National Park in winter when the crowds are gone. If it is your first time to the mountain, you can take a complimentary Mountain Host tour. This will help you get to know the mountain on groomed terrain with friendly hosts. There is a special Beginner Center where pros guarantee that you’ll be able to ski after your first beginner class, and you can repeat the First Day Learn to Turn class as often as you like. And you can take a guided snowshoe tour at the base of the Tetons. Try out the Rockies’ only Stash Park. Created by Burton Snowboards and unique to only five other resorts in the world, the Stash uses natural elements to build terrain park-like features, giving riders a completely different kind of resort riding experience. The Stash has four different runs and over 50 total features. Fly roundtrip to Jackson Hole with any airline and receive a $200 credit per person when booking a package with lodging and activities. KEYSTONE RESORT An easy hour drive from downtown Denver, with three mountains where families can snag an inexpensive condo. Keystone is a Vail Resort, which means that its ski and snowboard school is first rate. Your kids will love the huge
snow fort, the Kidtopia Festival daily programming throughout the season, Disco tubing and more. Look for a variety of free night deals, even during peak times as well as discounts on a second person’s lessons. This year, stay two nights and kids 12 and under ski free. For 2013 Keystone has added additional amenities for families with the addition of a “family ski trail”; called “the SchoolYard”, this portion of the famed Schoolmarm trail will include a special entrance, on-snow features like rollers and magic moguls to promote skills progression and plenty of special touches including a family “break zone” for resting tired little legs and ski with Ripperoo events. Keystone has also introduced free family parking in the front rows of the River Run Parking Lot and more than 100 wagons throughout the resort for easy transport of gear. Here’s what I wrote about Keystone’s ice fort. LAKE PLACID, NY: Home to the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980, the region has a long history as a snowsports mecca. Today, the steeps ofWhiteface Mountain, nearly 5,000 feet tall in the heart of the Adirondacks, and its new Rand’s Last Stand glade, attract skiers and riders. But we love this town for its variety of outdoor recreational activities. There’s great hiking, cross-country ski centers, dogsledding, snowmobiling on mountain bike trails, and ice skating on area lakes or the indoor arena. You can join the ice fishermen and even compete in popular fishing derbies throughout the winter. This scenic region features snowshoeing at High Falls Gorge and Ausable Chasm for active families, and a bird’s-eye view of Olympic-calibre ski jumps, bobsleds, and toboggan chutes for the spectators in your group. And throughout the day and night there are outdoor gear and fashion boutiques, a wide variety of farm-to-table foodie options and a fun bar scene if you want to come in out of the cold. Check out Lake Placid value packages online for the many inns, B&Bs, condos and hotel specials available in winter. MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN California. Some people come to Mammoth for the 150 trails, others for its 3,100 feet of vertical. At the highest ski resort in California with a peak elevation of 11,053 feet, there’s plenty of snow, sun (300 days a year), three learning centers for kids, special clinics and the chance to sled and tube, snowmobile, go for a dog sled ride or snow shoe. There’s even a snow play area at Woolly’s Adventure Summit Tube Park where families with young kids can build a snowman and enjoy the snow play area. MT BACHELOR in Bend, Oregon is the largest ski resort in the Cascade Range, offering 3,683 acres and 360 degrees of lift-accessible terrain. The mountain also boasts two tubing lifts and two beginner carpets, five terrain parks, 56k of groomed and tracked cross country trails, snowshoeing, tubing, sled dog rides and more. Kids, 12 and under, can ski free if an adult in their family purchases a multi-day ticket! If you are new to skiing or riding, check out the ‘Ski or Ride in 5′ program: For $199 you or your kids get five lessons, five rental packages, and five lift tickets and reserved parking spot close to the lodge. Upon ‘graduation’ from the program, students ages 6-18 get a free season pass; adults get a free 12-day pass, in addition graduates receive 50% on the following season’s full time Winter Season Pass, and a 25% discount the second year after graduation!
MOUNT SNOW RESORT provides a unique “back-to-base” trail system that keeps the entire family together. Mount Snow, in southern VT, is a draw for young freestyle skiers and snowboarders who come for the only all-park mountain face in the east, Carinthia, equipped with 125 freestyle features in eight parks complete with natural obstacles (rock jibs) as well as recycled pieces (giant tires). For beginner park skiers, there is also The Grommet Park that has small jumps. Don’t miss the Tubing Park. January 5, 2014 is the annual Youth Pay Their Age Day for everyone age 6 to 18! Get 10% off lift tickets during Martin Luther King Weekend and President’s Week with the Fan Fare Card and check out the Kids Ski & Learn Free Weeks. Stay Sunday-Thursday nights for 3-5 nights, purchase an adult 3-5 day lift ticket and children 4-12 years old get a free 3-5 day lift ticket and half-day morning clinics; dates for 2014 TBD. Mount Snow is also home to North America’s only six-passenger bubble lift – Bluebird Express – and a powerful snowmaking system that includes 253 high output fan guns. NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA RESORT, located between the historic town of Truckee, California and Lake Tahoe, is a short drive from the Reno/Tahoe International Airport and is easily accessible from San Francisco or Sacramento. The most family friendly resort in the Tahoe region, Northstar has 3,170 acres of skiing and riding featuring seven award winning progressive terrain parks and the RiperooRiglet Park for snowboarders 3-6 years old. Northstar combines California sophistication with the laid back atmosphere of mountain retreats and is known for its signature s’mores served in the base area every day at 3pm. The gathering place for the resort is the Ice Arena in the Village at Northstar, surrounded by cabanas and fire pits for relaxing, roasting s’mores and tell stories about mountain adventures. Northstar provides experiences for families that can’t be found anywhere else like the Burton Snowboard Academy, a terrain-based method for teaching beginner snowboarders and the Adventure, Guiding, Learning Center which takes the mountain experience beyond teaching to exploring. Children can also learn to ski and snowboard in smaller classes with the Ultimate 4 Lesson, a guarantee of four students maximum per each instructor providing more oneon-one attention and improvement. For more information about Northstar California’s family programs, packages and amenities visit www.northstarcalifornia.com. OFF THE SLOPES: Some families are looking for snow without the rigors of alpine skiing. Sundance Bear Lodge in Mancos, Colorado along the San Juan Skyway is a winter reunion destination that sleeps 20 in three different buildings. No need to fight about who gets which room; there’s a Western style three-bedroom house and a romantic log cabin that both accept pets. The elders in your clan will want the peaceful lodge rooms. In addition to nearby Mesa Verde National Park, you can arrange to visit the Ute Tribal Park and ride the colorful, historic Durango Silverton train. Any skiers can visit Telluride, Purgatory, or Wolf Creek Pass. Call for reservations and availability at 866-529-2480. OKEMO located in Southern Vermont with easy access from Boston, New York and other East Coast points. Okemo offers free use of its carpet lifts all season long and kids ski free on select days throughout the season when parents buy a regular priced lift ticket in advance—up to age 18! Children 6 & under ski or ride free ((Ask for a free lift ticket at the ticket window. Child must be present at ticket window). Okemo also has plenty of other options for fun in the snow right at the mountain—skating, tubing,
skating, swimming, an alpine coaster and even a giant snow mound where kids like to play king of the mountain. PENNSYLVANIA. The 22 member resorts of the Pennsylvania Ski Area Association are offering a $5 coupon off all Learn a Snowsport packages in January. At Ski Sawmill in North Central Pa, families enjoy special savings on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons with adult lifts for just $17; kids tickets (ages 6-11) for $15 and rentals for $15. Check out Hidden Valley, with its Highlands Pass. PARK CITY Located in Utah, Park City is a short shuttle ride from Salt Lake City airport, which is home to three major kid-friendly resorts. Canyons Resort and Deer Valley Resort, is where the luxe Montage aims to cater to well-heeled families (no snowboarders at Deer Valley!) See what I wroteabout our stay there as well as at Park City Mountain Resort, which promises there will be no more than 5 kids or adults in your group lessons. I’ve helped them develop a website for snow loving parents – please visitSnowmamas.com. You’ll find plenty of bargains (especially at the Canyons), service and gourmet meals (especially at Deer Valley) and all of the terrain features your riders and free skiers could want (Park City Mountain Resort) which also offers night skiing and riding. You’ll also have fun exploring the historic mountain town chock full of shops and restaurants. The National Ability Center is designed to help all those in your family with special challenges. You can also have the chance to test your mettle on an Olympic bobsled run at the Utah Olympic Park. Here’s what I wrote about Park City Mountain Resort’s Ladies’ Club dedicated to getting moms back on the slopes. With so much choice in slope style, we suggest staying in the heart of Park City at the Hyatt Escala Lodge, a AAA four-diamond resort with ski-in, ski-out access to the Canyons and just a short ride from the others. Accommodations range from guest rooms with kitchenettes to four-bedroom suites sleeping 12. A good choice for multigenerational travelers, this luxurious lodge features an outdoor heated pool and hot tubs, underground valet parking, and complimentary scheduled transportation to Historic Main Street. SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH in Northern Vermont, not far from Burlington or Montreal, is known in New England for its top-notch children’s facilities (including infant care) and off the slope activities including a zip line canopy tour. The resort’s Club Smugglers’ vacation packages include lift tickets, lodging, use of the indoor pool and hot tubs, unlimited use of cross country and snowshoe trails as well as the FunZone Family Entertainment Center, tubing and more. Expert instruction for children and adults is provided by the Resort’s Snow Sport University in skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. For young snowboarders ages 3-6, Smugglers’ Notch has the Burton Riglet Park, an on-snow play area on Sir Henry’s Learning Hill with fun learning features. One of the most exciting parts of the park is the “treehouse,” an elevated platform with ramps that children can ride down, a balance area inside the treehouse and a lift chair that swings to help kids practice getting on and off the lift. Smuggler’s three mountains encompass 1,000 acres of terrain. SNOWMASS, by far the largest of the four mountains in Aspen, is family snow sports central with its $17 million Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center featuring a climbing gym, themed rooms, and teen activities. From March 8-April 20, kids ages 7-12 ski and stay
free with purchase of lodging and adult lift tickets for three or more days. Reserve three nights at the Westin, Snowmass’ newest resort, and enjoy a fourth night free. Check the Snowmass website for other deals, and also don’t miss the resident Golden Eagle at the free Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. Take a guided snowshoe tour at Snowmass or Aspen Mountains. Visit the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center that showcases the terrific find of prehistoric mastodons. Here’s what I wrote about the discovery. SOLITUDE MOUNTAIN Located just 30 miles outside Salt Lake City, Solitude Mountain Resort boasts over 1,200 skiable acres including 65 trails, three bowls, and groomers for all ability levels. There’s also a Nordic Center with 20 kilometers of trails and an extra 10 kilometers designated for snowshoeing. Famously short lift lines and the relative quiet of the mountain make it an ideal spot for families looking to avoid the more crowded resorts in the area. Ski lessons are available for both adults and children with a special MoonBeam Ski and Snowboard Academy for kids ages 5-12. The resort also offers a Play N Ski lesson program for children ages 2-5, and a childcare center for kids under the age of 5. Kids ski free when booking a stay for two nights or more- one free kid’s ticket per paid adult, up to two free tickets per day. Visit Solitude’s European-style village to enjoy family activities like ice skating, shopping, and S’more making by one of the fire pits. SQUAW VALLEY USA in California has a mountaintop beginner area perfect for kids including the Belmont Terrain Park complete with kid-friendly jumps, mini cross-course and more. Kids 4 and under ski free and the resort recently added new mini snowmobiles and revamped snow tubing at the resort’s base area. At Squaw, you can hit the slopes until 8pm on weekends and holidays. Come for spring skiing and enjoy the warm temps, great spring snow and the resort’s kid-friendly mountaintop pool that opens in March. The near 500″ of snowfall each season make it possible for the resort to remain open through late April. Spring 2014 will bring the return of the US Alpine Championships to Squaw Valley, where guests can join Julia Mancuso, Jonny Moseley, Tamara McKinney, Travis Ganong along with other favorite skiers and snowboarders. STEAMBOAT In Northern Colorado, Steamboat is recognized as a top family ski resort in North America thanks to its dedicated Kids’ Vacation Center with its western themed play area and well-trained children’s staff. The resort has long been an innovator for families with Kids Ski Free, Kids Fly Free and Kids Rent Free programs. Plus, with the ambiance of an authentic Western town known for breeding Olympians and its Old Town Hot Springs pool and slides, there’s just as much to do off the mountain as on. There are Five kids-only lifts and two special beginner-teaching areas with special Magic Carpet lifts. More advanced kids access the entire mountain, including kids-only terrain at Rough Rider Basin, complete with dedicated lift plus teepees, a frontier-style fort and the Beehive – a kids’ terrain park. Check out the special Billy Kidd Race Camps–Dec. 16-18, 23-25, Jan. 20-22, Feb. 17-19 & March 10-12, 17-19, 2014 and the STARS Kids’ Adaptive Camp –March 2014 is a fun ski camp for youth (age 6-20) with physical disabilities, new skiers, beginner skiers who need private lessons, intermediate. Visit Steamboat Stars for more information.
STRATTON in Southern Vermont is a favorite for East Coast families. Special packages are available at select times throughout the season, such as: kids 17 and younger are invited to ski and stay free when two adults purchase a (2 night minimum) lift and lodging package. Kids can get free rentals too, when an adult purchases a rental. Kids love the tubing hill and that once they are eight, they can drive a mini snowmobile in the Sun Bowl Base Area. There are also other activities ranging from dog sled tours, yoga, and more. Parents love the village atmosphere of the base area, the 45 acre Learning Park and EZ Street, a three mile green run from the summit. Teens like the Wreck teen club with indoor skate ramp. The old Inn at Stratton Mountain is now known as the Black Bear Lodge and features a new look with classic Vermont ski lodge vibes. We logged a lot of weekends at Stratton when my youngest was on a ski team there and never got bored. Check out the Long Weekend Deal — when you book three nights — Thursday, Friday and Saturday or Friday, Saturday and Sunday, guests can ski Friday or Monday for free. Available weekends, non-holiday all season in select properties. Starting from $169* for the Stratton long weekend. STOWE is home to Vermont’s highest Peak, Mt. Mansfield and is known for it’s postcard-pretty New England town, its “Famous Front Four trails” double-blacks, some of the longest intermediate cruisers in the East, and a group of beginner trails in the Toll House area. Spruce Peak is geared toward beginner and intermediate skiers and riders. Lower Spruce – the area nearest the Spruce Base Are Complex – is a great place to learn. Stowe has invested over 8 million dollars in new snowmaking in the past two years, more than every other resort in the East combined. Take time to visit the Ski Museum, or take a tour of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory! Stowe Mountain Lodge welcomes dogs as well as kids and is known for its farm-to-table cuisine. Check Go Stowe for lodging deals;. Snowshoe or cross country ski at the Von Trapp Family Lodge. SUNDAY RIVER in Maine boasts a 50-plus year history, eight interconnected peaks, 12 hour skiing and riding Fridays, Saturdays and select holidays, a White Cap Fun Center with a tubing park, and a Sugaring House so you get an up close and personal look of exactly how maple syrup is made—complete with samples. Many families come to Sunday River because of the Perfect Turn Ski and Ride School. During Children’s Festival Week (1/13 – 1/17), there will be scavenger hunts, live entertainment, movies, pajama parties, teen parties, and themed Perfect Turn kid’s lessons – with ids ski, snowboard, stay, rent, and learn – all for free when families stay three nights or longer! TELLURIDE, a historic southwestern Colorado mountain town, is so safe that local parents let 10-year-olds run around on their own. Kids will enjoy outdoor adventure programs, a visit to the Climbing Rock, and rides on the free gondola connecting the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village. Visiting kids might learn a little Western history in the process. Nestled in a box canyon, the entire town of Telluride — four blocks long and four blocks wide— is a federally designated historic district, and it couldn’t be prettier with buildings dating back a century and mountain views in every direction. Even during the busiest week of the year, the ski school has small class sizes. Parents like
the intimacy and that the vast majority of instructors in the ski school are veterans here who remember their kids from previous visits. It’s also an easy ski school to navigate — right next to the town gondola in the middle of the Mountain Village. Backcountry lovers will love the Black Iron Bowl—a hike-to playground set against the dramatic backdrop of Palmyra Peak, the terrain includes eight runs (like the wide-open Mountain Quail couloirs), European-style faces, open glades and steep chutes. Here’s what I wrote about a visit to Telluride. TAOS SKI VALLEY, located in northern New Mexico with easy access from Albuquerque or Santa Fe, Taos is one of the last, most pristine, and still somewhat undiscovered ski areas in the country. It is still family owned and run. Not only is there great snow and an 18,000 square foot children’s center, but you have the opportunity to explore Native American culture nearby—right at the Taos Pueblo, the only living Native American community designated both as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. There’s plenty for the non-snow sports lovers in the group to do. And Taos Ski Valley now welcomes snowboarders too. Experience the newly expanded tubing hill, located on Strawberry Hill, open Wed-Sat from 2-6pm. Open to all ages, the tubing hill has multiple lanes and a moving carpet that carries you back to the top each time. VAIL has more than 5,200 acres to ski, including the famous Back Bowls and another 645 acres in Blue Sky Basin, the huge expanse of wilderness-like terrain that faces Vail’s bowls. This resort offers intermediate and expert skiers moguls, tree skiing, and even some cliffs. No one in your gang will get bored here—even after the slopes close. There is a bungee trampoline and multi-lane tubing hill at Adventure Ridge, as well as kids snowmobiling and ski biking. For some fun on the mountain, check out Coyote’s Escape, a 50-foot long wooden ski-through feature, and the teepee in Sherwood Forest. Also, check out the Nature Discovery Center at Eagle’s Nest with frequent nature walks and programs led by naturalists. You can even take a moonlight snowshoe tour! When it comes to ski lessons, for an extra fee, you can opt for the Ultimate Four, a small group lesson program for kids ages 3-15 with only four children per instructor. WATERVILLE VALLEY RESORT in New Hampshire offers 250 acres to ski or ride, a big Nordic Center that is groomed daily and a Town Square just a short walk from most of the resort accommodations. This year there are 60 new acres of intermediate, beginner and glade guns — the first expansion of the area in 30 years — and a new tubing experience. There’s even an indoor ice rink. Book online 24 hours in advance and you can get a Learn to Ski or Ride package for just $75 including a two hourlesson, equipment and a lower mountain lift ticket. Look for “Town Square” events that include fireworks. Look for new seasonal programs like the Junior Instruction Programs for fifteen weekends plus the Christmas holiday week. Programs are designed for kids ages 4-16, who already ski or snowboard, starting at the lower intermediate level. The resort also offers special programs for 4 and 5yr. old skiers, alpine and snowboarding groups for 6–12 year olds and specialized groups for kids ages 8-12 who are interested in learning the fundamentals of competitive racing and freestyle skiing.
WHISTLER BLACKOMB in British Columbia is just 78 miles from Vancouver and was the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games. Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains, connected by the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, which together offer over 200 marked runs, 8,000 acres of terrain, 14 alpine bowls, and three glaciers. There’s plenty of snow—over 462 inches a year— which means one of the longest ski seasons in North America. Check out the website for deals, including discounted airfare from certain cities and lodging deals. Coca-Cola Tube Parkis located in the Base 2 Zone on Blackcomb Mountain and has eight lanes varying in difficulty. There’s also plenty to see and do besides the slopes, including a wide variety of restaurant options as well as several top après ski destinations. Open from Dec 15- Apr 15; weekdays: noon-7pm and weekends: 11am-7pm. WINTER PARK RESORT is only 67 miles from Denver and offers the state’s longest continually operating professional ski school. The Private Lesson Center allows your family to learn together. There is an incredible variety of terrain with over 3,000 skiable areas spread out over seven unique territories. Steeps can be found on The Cirque, bumps the size of small VW bugs can be found over at Mary Jane. Groomers are found on Winter Park Mountain with beginner terrain. Terrain Parks come by the handful as the resort has five, including the limited access park, Dark Territory. Look for packages that include free nights and free lift tickets. The Resort is also home to the National Sports Center for the Disabled, which offers a variety of programs for those with special mental and physical challenges. Special thanks to Andrea Timpano for her research assistance on this story. This special FamilyTravelConsulting.com travel section contains advertising and some sponsored content. All opinions are based upon the author’s actual travel experience and knowledge.
Sentinel's guide to ski and snowboarding in Northern California for the 2013-14 season By Julie jag jjag@santacruzsentinel.com POSTED: 11/28/2013 08:13:48 PM PST |
A big, ruby bar rises like a mountain out of the month of January in the Old Farmer's Almanac graph of the 2014 weather forecast for the Reno, Nev., area. It is buffeted by slightly smaller red bars rising out of December and February. The red indicates precipitation. The height denotes the amount more than the norm -almost two inches in the case of January. All together, it means snow is coming It may not seem like it now, a day removed from 70-degree highs here in Santa Cruz. Plus, trusting in a book originally published in 1792 might require putting aside some skepticism. But, think of it this way: It's been much too sunny for too long, so we're due for a cold spell; and, hey, it's a book that people have been buying consistently for nearly 225 years. That must say something about its accuracy. If not, you can always trust the Almanac's website, which states with the utmost confidence "Though weather forecasting, and long-range forecasting in particular, remains an inexact science, many longtime Almanac followers claim that our forecasts are 80-85 percent accurate." (Then again, the prognostications come from a person named Caleb Weathersbee. Publishers of the book admit the name is manufactured, but the person -- who lives somewhere in the United States -- is real). So now that your faith that there will be snow this season has been restored, it's time to choose a destination. We've broken down the Tahoe area resorts into three categories to help you best find what you're primarily looking for: Families, Entertainment and Terrain.
Of course, all the resorts will offer amenities that spill over into other categories, but this is where they seem to fit best this season. FAMILIES ALPINE MEADOWS, Dec. 13 Under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley since 2011, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. The terrain parks will look different this winter with several creative new challenges. The resort is also building itself up as the place for tweens with its new Snow Rangers program that will offer winter adventures and on-mountain training such as backcountry touring, snow science, avalanche awareness and snow camping for past ski team members ages 12-18 who have a solid base of alpine skiing. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS, Dec. 13 It's nestled within Yosemite National Park, but don't expect terrain like the face of Half Dome at Badger Pass Ski Area. A whopping 85 percent of the resorts slopes are devoted to beginner and intermediate levels, making this a great place to learn to ski or ride. Park employees have also done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tentcabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-372-8430) BEAR VALLEY, TBD The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a "C" average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL, Open Great place to learn how to handle the park. Take three lessons in any snowboard program and you'll get a free season pass. If you or someone in the family really wants to learn how to catch air fast, take lessons through Woodward Tahoe. Plus, there's a tubing hill for the really little or less adventurous. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase, discount lift tickets atLiftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-426-3666) CHINA PEAK, TBD One of the closest and easiest resorts to get to -- it's almost straight east of Santa Cruz -China Peak has added a few amenities this season. Among them, a slopeside umbrella bar
and a Mexican cantina, as well as a children's play zone. On the slopes, look for a new snowcat to keep up the groomers. China Peak is part of the Powder Alliance, so it shares some pass perks with Sierra-at-Tahoe and other resorts around the country. (skichinapeak.com; (559) 233-2500) DONNER SKI RANCH, TBD This is the place to go to introduce wee little ones to the snow. The centerpiece of the resort is its tubing hill. The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day for 2012-13, but it will be open this season. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) GRANLIBAKKEN, TBD Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) HOMEWOOD, Dec. 13 Sleepy Homewood has some major changes in store starting with the construction of lodging and a village near the North Base area beginning in 2014 as part of the resort's master plan. In the meantime, the bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new "sculpted" features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. And, buy a season pass here or at Diamond Peak and get four free non-holiday lift tickets at the other resort. (skihomewood.com; 530-525-2992) MOUNT SHASTA SKI PARK, TBD For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) TAHOE DONNER, TBD Tired of the kids saying they get too cold when you go skiing? Tahoe Donner has built a 700square-foot yurt with a large sun deck on its slopes that will be used mostly as a warming hut. The kid-friendly area has 14 runs spread over 120 acres plus a cross country ski center that has added an intermediate trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444)
TERRAIN DODGE RIDGE, TBD North of Yosemite and just southeast of Jackson (186 miles from Santa Cruz), Dodge Ridge is one of the closest ski areas. In addition, it has boosted its black-diamond terrain by adding a new T-bar surface lift to the top of its "second summit." The lift opens up about 1,000 vertical feet of in-bounds black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching kids as young as 2 to ski and 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209965-3474) JUNE MOUNTAIN, Dec. 14 June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, expects to reopen this season. In 2009, Transworld Snowboarding Magazine dubbed it the resort with the fifthbest terrain park in the United States. Located some 20 miles from Mammoth, it's offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) KIRKWOOD, Open A second year as a Vail Resort property has brought more improvement to Kirkwood, this time mostly in the form of places to pick up food or beverages. Look for the new K-bar, an outdoor umbrella bar, on the Chair 6 side of the village, plus the Cornice Bar and Grillin the village has been extensively remodeled. But with the highest base in Tahoe, and some of the most vertical feet, the terrain still reigns. Enough so that 60 of the best big mountain skiers and riders will compete there in the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800-967-7500) MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, Open One of the largest ski resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks -- once ranked No. 3 in the U.S. by Transworld Snowboarding -- have been beefed up and it has been named an official training ground for Olympic skiers and snowboarders. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Sochi, Russia. The trip to the resort may also become less of a headache. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) NORTHSTAR, Open Being the winter home of Olympic snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun White should say something about Northstar's terrain. Inside the resort, trails have been widened and trees
removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. Outside, Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Several Olympic skiers and snowboarders like White will stop at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-4666784) SQUAW VALLEY, Open This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. It's famous for its natural steep and deep slopes, but it is also adding features to its terrain parks. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-4030206) SUGAR BOWL, TBD Sugar Bowl just finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. Off the slopes, it has invested $12 million into a Sugar Bowl Academy Campus. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) ENTERTAINMENT DIAMOND PEAK, TBD The popular Last Tracks ski-party program that incorporates wineries and breweries has been expanded to include some Fridays, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free non-holiday lift tickets at the other resort. Coming in handy right now is a 50-percent improvement in snowmaking, plus tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) HEAVENLY, Open Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprĂŠs-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. Plus the resort is adding the Heavenly DJ Cat, a snow cat pimped out with a turntable and speakers to bring the party to the slopes. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several
seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) Mt. ROSE, Open It's a tough decision between putting this one in the Terrain group for its unbelievable chutes or in the Entertainment category for its proximity to the Reno casinos. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierras because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with low-cost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. An expanded lodge and Wi-Fi service are the biggest improvements for now, but the resort is exploring adding terrain across Mount Rose Highway that would include a new chairlift and 11 new runs. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) SIERRA-AT-TAHOE, TBD Sierra looked to be the resort left behind when Vail bought up sister area Northstar a few years back. Instead, it's growing, including a major facelift of the base area with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. It's also long been known for its terrain parks and shares pass perks with China Peak. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) ALSO ROYAL GORGE, TBD Long an expansive cross country-only resort on Donner Summit, Royal Gorge is introducing fat-tire snow biking this winter. Guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000)
Ski season ramps up as two more Tahoe resorts open Wednesday, November 27, 2013
LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (KGO) -- Ski season is ramping up. Lake Tahoe resorts Squaw Valley and Mount Rose both opened Wednesday. Squaw Valley is open for business. They provided video showing a small crowd making the first tracks in the freshly groomed show. Not all of it is natural, by the way. Like Boreal, many Tahoe resorts have stepped up their snow making in the wake of two dry seasons. "And that's one of the reasons we have six resorts that are open this weekend," Ron Schneidermann said. "We obviously haven't really had a big storm come through yet, but there is a ton of skiable terrain open right now." Schneidermann co-founded Liftopia. The ski bargain website just got a big new office in San Francisco and investment from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. They're growing because the ski business is changing from buying lift tickets on the mountain, to buying them in advance online. "Just like an airline ticket or a hotel room, the further out you can search, the better a deal you're gonna get," Schneidermann said.
The bad news is almost all lift tickets are more expensive this year. The good news is some of the cheapest skiing is right now, if you don't mind the man-made snow.
Mid-weeks are cheaper than weekends, skiing on Christmas Day is a bargain, but the real way to save? "Season pass prices are the one thing that are falling, or the value within the pass is expanding meaning you get access to more resorts or fewer blackout days," Schneidermann said. Lift tickets aren't the only place where the ski world's business model is changing. getting your gear used to be about renting or buying. But now there's a third option -leasing it for the whole season. "It's huge," Sports Basement General Manager Eden Slezin said. "This time of the year last year I think we had only a couple hundred season leases, and this year we had over a thousand." Sports Basement started the lease program for kids since they outgrow the gear quickly. But soon, adults started catching on. It's 150 for the whole season. And if you do buy your gear, this might be a good time to do it, while last year's stuff is still on sale. (Copyright Š2013 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.)
Top 10 Ski Resorts in North America: The best of the 2014 Freeskier Resort Guide November 25th, 2013by Freeskier Magazine
Based on what we’ve seen and what we love about these ski resorts, we’ve ranked the top 10 ski destinations; this information is originally presented in our 2014 Resort Guide. We made this list by trying to answer the questions our friends ask us: I have a week of vacation, where should I go? I want to ski a badass park, where should I go? I want to stop at the end of an epic t-to-b run and have a delicious drink, where should I go? I just got fired from my job and I want to move to a ski town for a year (and maybe stay for twenty), where should I go? The below is just one example of what you’ll find in the Resort Guide—there, the information is spread across 17 pages, including lists like “Best on a powder day” (Pg. 076), “Best after the storm” (Pg. 077), Parks (Pg. 078), Towns (Pg. 080), Après and Nightlife (Pg. 081), Steeps (Pg. 082), Deets (Pg. 083), The East (Pg. 084), The InBetween (Pg. 085), Gettin’ Up (Pg. 086) and Gettin’ There (Pg. 088). At the bottom of this page, we’ve created a poll—we’re inquiring where you might like to spend an upcoming ski vacation, or just let loose for a few days. While it’d be an enormous challenge (time suck) to include all of the ski areas in North America, we’ve simplified things by including only those spots which received editorial mention in the 2013 and/or 2014 Resort Guide issues. So, browse through the available destinations, and let us know: Where would you go to spend your hard earned cash? And, of course, please enjoy our top 10 resort ranking and the accompanying beta.
01. Whistler Blackcomb Surprise, surprise, Whistler Blackcomb tops the charts once again. When it comes to our annual Resort Guide, we often hear a complaint from the masses, something like, “Great, I paid my $5.98 only to find Whistler Blackcomb No. 1 again.” And yeah, Freeskier has ranked the famed BC resort at the top of the charts for the past eight years in a row. But, seriously, who’s going to argue that? It comes down to one simple matter, when folks ask us where they should spend their top dollar to go shred, our response is always the same, “Have you been to Whistler Blackcomb?” Complete with 8,171 acres of skiable terrain, an average of 462 inches of snow per year, 5,280 feet of vert (Blackcomb), 200+ marked runs, 16 bowls, three glaciers, five parks, endless backcountry and a mighty long ski season, the resort puts up impressive stats, to say the least. Bolstering those
figures, two new lifts are going in this season—improving access to Blackcomb’s Crystal zone, Spanky’s Ladder, and Whistler’s Harmony zone. Whistler Blackcomb’s sheer size can be overwhelming, yet its appeal is best captured through a more personal set of numbers. Consider the number of face shots you might receive while skiing off Whistler’s Peak Express on a blower morning. When you’ve had your fill blazing bottomless pow in Glacier Bowl, Whistler Bowl or the West Bowl, think about the number of iPhone photos you might snap while riding the world-famous PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola—suspended 1,427 feet above the ground—en route to Blackcomb, where the CBC Trees await. You’ve got an afternoon of pure treeskiing bliss ahead of you. Park shred more your thing? Ponder the collection of banger GoPro shots you could capture while lapping the Nintendo Highest Level Terrain Park on Blackcomb. Revamped last season, it features massive, pristine features and a smooth, curving flow, giving it a feel that many athletes say rivals the best in the world. Of course, beginners will find themselves right at home in the Big Easy or Habitat parks, too. Or how about the number of jugs (Canadian for pitchers) consumed in a single afternoon at GLC, Longhorn, Merlin’s, Dusty’s or any of the phenomenal après spots scattered about the world-class village? Or the number of new, random contacts you’ll find saved in your phone’s address book after an evening on the town. Between the dance parties at Maxx Fish and Tommy Africa’s, you’ll wake up to find things like, “Stephanie, hot, red hat” or “Super cute, blonde, black leggings” attached to area codes from 604 to 212. The bottom line: Whistler Blackcomb has something for everyone, from the baddest of shredders to total beginners (lessons and guided tours abound). You can do it up big, or you can do it on a budget. Either way, once you go, whenever somebody asks where they should spend their ski vacation, your response will be, “Have you been to Whistler Blackcomb?”
02. Aspen/Snowmass Much like our number one, Aspen/Snowmass has been consistently picked as a top destination over the years, for many good reasons. It consists of four different mountains, each offering its own highlights, including top-to-bottom laps of over 3,200 vertical feet via the Ajax gondola; steep and deep turns down the Highland Bowl or Steeplechase zone of the Highlands; meticulously maintained parks and sprawling terrain reaching above treeline at Snowmass; and each January, Buttermilk plays host to the X Games with one of the biggest, baddest parks in the biz. When it comes time to hit the town, Aspen entertains both ends of the spectrum with steak and sushi or shot-and-a- beer
specials right around the corner from one another. Fly directly here or make the quick drive from Denver. You won’t be disappointed.
03. Jackson Hole A 12-minute ride in the iconic red tram at Jackson Hole grants you access to 4,139 vertical feet of varied terrain that skews heavily to the wild side. The infamous Corbet’s Couloir sits atop this behemoth of a mountain and may earn you a t-shirt, but there’s so much more. Lap the Thunder or Sublette chairs for all sorts of terrain, take a hike up the headwall for unlimited launch pads through Casper Bowl or the Crags, or come back year after year if you’ve got the knowledge to take advantage of the backcountry access. When the lifts stop spinning, the lovely ladies of the Mangy Moose will serve you spicy margs to your heart’s content, or you can head in to town to eat at one of the many fine establishments before bellying up next to a cowboy at any given bar.
04. Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Eight peaks, 47 lifts and more than 8,000 badass acres; that’s what you get when you combineSquaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. And that’s just what they did last year for our skiing pleasure. Alpine Meadows provides wide open terrain and some of the best backcountry access gates imaginable. Meanwhile, Squaw is a breeding ground for some of the gnarliest rippers out there because of its 450 inches of annual snowfall and infamous terrain such as The Fingers off of KT-22. When the lifts stop turning, head down to Le Chamois or PlumpJacks for some celebratory libations.
05. AltaSnowbird Just a hop, skip and a winding road out of Salt Lake City will bring you to this skier’s paradise, so close to the airport that you can fly in midmorning and be on the hill by lunchtime. These two mountains have options galore for ripper who are looking for steep and playful lines to challenge their abilities—hence the freeskiing competitions held at Snowbird every year. Conveniently, the mountains share a boundary, and you can easily ski back and forth between them. The Cliff Lodge at the base of “the Bird” offers rooftop hot tubs with a view, while The Peruvian and Gold Miner’s Daughter offer a classic après vibe at the bottom of Alta.
06. Breckenridge Breckenridge features some of the finest park features in the world, for everybody from the beginner to Bobby Brown. In addition, the resort will be adding a fifth peak this year, expanding the already vast amount of terrain with aspects that provide great snow on every day of the season.
07. Mammoth Nine top-notch parks and two pipes make Mammoth a top contender on the freestyle circuit. Add to that vast terrain options and a season that lasts well beyond winter, and you’ve got a mountain that knows how to please.
08. Revelstoke This evolving gem is situated in southeastern British Columbia and grants access to some of the rowdiest terrain and longest continuous vertical you’ll find around a resort. Even better, it’s got a small- town feel that’s free of fur-ists and never-ending timeshares.
09. Mt. Bachelor Just a quick drive out of Bend, OR, Mt. Bachelor offers everything from terrain parks and a halfpipe to gullies and amazing tree skiing that allow you to surf and slash your way down the mountain. The resort has all the amenities you will need without the feel of Big Mountain Inc.
10. Park City Mountain Resort Three sick parks, along with an exquisitely maintained superpipe, make PCMR a worthy destination for any freeskier. Rising straight out of downtown, this resort affords the opportunity to ride all day and party all night without sacrifice.
Updated: November 25, 2013 | By The Associated Press, thecanadianpress.com
2 major Lake Tahoe ski resorts open RENO, Nev. - Two major Lake Tahoe ski resorts have opened for the season. RENO, Nev. - Two major Lake Tahoe ski resorts have opened for the season. Heavenly on Tahoe's south shore and Northstar just to the north of the lake began with limited operations Saturday. Heavenly had been scheduled to open Friday, but high winds prompted the resort to postpone its opening until Saturday. Snow-making machines and a storm that dropped up to nearly a foot of snow this week allowed the resorts to open. This week will see openings of Kirkwood, Mt. Rose and Squaw Valley plan to open Wednesday. Opening earlier were Boreal atop Donner Summit and Mammoth Mountain just east of Yosemite National Park.
Tahoe Truckee tree lighting festivities abound Magical Memories at the Resort at Squaw Creek will become a fully-illuminated winter wonderland at the Gingerbread Village Unveiling and Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 29. World Cup Champion and Olympic skier Tamara McKinney and Squaw Valley professional skier, model and Resort at Squaw Creek ski ambassador Amie Engerbretson will join the festivities. Carolers, an ice skating performance by local children, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus and Santa’s merry elves, and complimentary servings of hot chocolate will be part of the extravaganza. This event is free to resort guests and the public. Subsequent Magical Memories events include breakfast with Santa, holiday concerts, children’s holiday crafts, cookie and cupcake decorating, Menorah lighting, winter wonderland stories with Mrs. Claus, sunset snowshoe tours, snowman and snow fort building contests, elf tuck-ins, movies for the kids, and ski film movie nights in Sandy’s Pub. Musical presentations will be offered on Dec. 7 and 8 with a holiday performance by the Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus. A holiday dance performance by InnerRhythms takes place on Dec. 11. Free local school musical performances take place in the lobby on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 11 and 18. For a complete calendar of events visit www.magicalsquawcreek.com. LIGHT UP THE NIGHT AT TAHOE DONNER Once you’ve had enough turkey fun on Thursday, get ready for Santa and holiday activities at the annual Tahoe Donner Light Up the Night event at The Lodge on Saturday, Nov. 30, 5-8 p.m., for the eighth annual tree lighting ceremony. A host of other festivities will take place including reindeer games, Santa’s arts and crafts workshop, hot chocolate and s’mores, letters to Santa, storytelling by Mrs. Claus, caroling, photos with Santa, and the grand finale tree lighting. Kids ages 13 and under will receive a free raffle ticket and one lucky kid whose raffle ticket is drawn will get to light the tree at 6 p.m. Kids are also
encouraged to take a camera so they can get their photo with Santa. Give back and take canned items for the Project MANA food drive. There will also be a raffle with Tahoe Donner prizes with proceeds going to Project MANA. This event is free and for all ages. Visit www.tahoedonner.com/rec-programs/special-events. North Tahoe Tree Lighting The annual North Tahoe Community Tree Lighting will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m. at the North Tahoe Event Center. Placer County District 5 Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery will be on hand to assist Santa and Mrs. Claus with the lighting of the holiday trees. For the second year the North Tahoe Community Tree Lighting will welcome the North Tahoe School Jazz Band and Tahoe Music Institute students to perform holiday classics for the event. They will set the mood for the evening as everyone waits with anticipation for the North Tahoe Fire Protection District to bring Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Event Center to light the community trees. Once the trees have been lit, Santa will lead everyone into the building for more holiday fun! Danielle Hankinson Photography will there to take pictures with Santa, so wear your favorite holiday outfit. Complimentary hot soup and cocoa will be offered to warm everyone up after being outside to light the trees. The Friends of the Library are hosting a book swap so bring any new or used books to swap with your friends and the Friends of the Library. There will also be several holiday crafts for the kids. Come with your holiday spirit ready to soar. Ritz-Carlton Tree Lighting Join the ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe to welcome the holidays during the 4th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Living Room, Dec. 7, 4:30-6 p.m. This special evening includes s’mores with the Marshmologist, hot chocolate, cookie decorating, ornament making and holiday performances by the children of the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Expedition Academy. The event is complimentary and open to the community, 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court, Truckee, 530-562-3000, www.ritzcarlton.com/laketahoe. Also on tap is a Gingerbread Workshop slated for Saturday, Dec. 7, 14 and 21; 3-4 p.m. Under the expert tutelage of a Ritz-Carlton pastry chef, families may convene at the Lake Tahoe Resort to experience the magic of creating a personalized gingerbread house that even Santa would be proud to call his own. Cost is $125 per family.
COZY WINTER LODGES 
Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe Sitting at the base of Squaw Valley in California's North Lake Tahoe, the Resort at Squaw Creek caters to winter sports enthusiasts with skiin/ski-out access, but you may not want to leave once you see the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Sierra Nevada Mountains. During the winter months, the resort offers extra perks like dog sledding tours, ice skating and sledding. Photo by Resort at Squaw Creek
Sierra ski resorts hope for Thanksgiving snow Only a handful of resorts already open UPDATED 11:18 PM PST Nov 22, 2013
LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (KCRA) —Dozens of skiers and snowboarders braved strong and gusty winds at Soda Springs on Friday night to enjoy skiing at Boreal Ski Resort.
Boreal had snow making machine blasting clouds of powder on the runs where people were skiing.
“My goggles are iced over,” said snowboarder Matt Renfro. "As soon as you go through one of those snow blowers, and it sticks to you. But it’s the first run of the season.”
His ski buddy from Grass Valley, David Erhart, agreed that conditions were, “pretty gnarly.”
“You can’t see anything so when you are paying attention to where you are going you catch an edge and you hit and it hurts bad,” said Erhart. “But I love it.”
Boreal, Heavenly Valley and Mammoth Mountain were the only ski areas open in California on Friday.
Northstar at Tahoe will open Saturday. Sugar Bowl, Squaw Valley and Sierra-at-Tahoe did not list opening dates on their websites but reported only a shallow snowpack.
In Truckee, the old town area was packed with visitors Friday evening.
Merchants said the town’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony brought in locals and visitors and boosted business.
At the La Galleria shop, clerk Courtney Thurmon said everybody is hoping for a snowstorm next week.
“Oh man, we definitely need snow,” she said. “People get excited about skiing and after they are skied-out and tired they do a little shopping.”
West Coast Ski Resort Deals & News Thanksgiving Week 22nd November 2013 | COURTNEY ROYCE
Thanks to a little help from mother nature and plenty of snowmaking, Heavenly Mountain Resort will be the third California resort to open for the 2013/2014 season, joining Mammoth and Boreal. Squaw Valleyis set to start spinning their wheels on Wednesday, Nov. 27th. Mt Rose, Northstar and Kirkwood resorts are waiting for more snowfall and have decided postpone their start dates. Take advantage of Heavenly's extensive snowmaking system and enjoy some of the best early season conditions around the west coast for cheap with their buy one, get one lodging special. The deal is good as several different lodges near the resort and is valid until Dec. 19th. On Dec. 2nd and 3rd, Sports Basement in San Francisco, CA and Expedition: Kirkwood will host two days of avalanche awareness clinics. Attendees will receive discounts on Kirkwood's E:K Program and lift tickets, as well as gain knowledge of back/sidecountry safety. Yosemite's Badger Pass Ski Area, which is set to open Dec. 13 (weather permitting), is offering season passes for just $149 for adults with zero blackout dates, free unheated cabin lodging and more.
Northstar California to open Saturday; Mount Rose ski area will open Wednesday Nov. 22, 2013
Northstar California said after the most recent storm, it has enough of a snow pack to hold its season opener on Saturday. Communications coordinator Brooke Rose said after an evaluation on Friday afternoon, the decision was made to open. The resort announced earlier this week it would not open on the scheduled date, which was today, because they didn't have enough snow. Meanwhile, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe will start its season at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season POSTED: 11/19/2013 09:32:57 AM MST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/2013 09:32:57 AM MST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444)
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/2013 09:32:57 AM MST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444)
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/2013 09:32:57 AM MST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444)
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group UPDATED: 11/19/2013 11:33:04 AM EST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS
Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch
The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this
winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500) Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors
with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group UPDATED: 11/19/2013 11:33:04 AM EST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-372-8430)
BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-426-3666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a novice-intermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-552-6301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365)
HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-525-2992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800-967-7500) Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with low-cost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar
Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-4030206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's crosscountry ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_24477169/sierra-ski-whats-new-at-resorts-201314#ixzz2oL8l2qFQ
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/13, 1:55 PM EST |
There’s good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region’s businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here’s a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS
Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park’s Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-372-8430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear’s instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-426-3666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge’s “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children’s programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a novice-intermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as
a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-552-6301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly’s Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort’s North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-525-2992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800-967-7500) Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684)
MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with low-cost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There’s no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar’s Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install
charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-4030206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow’s Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area’s cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete SonntaJg, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group UPDATED: 11/19/2013 08:33:04 AM PST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS
Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch
The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this
winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500) Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors
with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/13, 1:55 PM EST |
There’s good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region’s businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here’s a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS
Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park’s Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-372-8430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear’s instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-426-3666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge’s “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children’s programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a novice-intermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as
a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-552-6301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly’s Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort’s North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-525-2992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800-967-7500) Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684)
MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with low-cost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There’s no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar’s Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install
charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-4030206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow’s Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area’s cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/2013 11:32:57 AM EST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444)
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete SonntaJg, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423)
BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635)
Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500) Mammoth Mountain
One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/2013 09:32:57 AM MST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444)
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/2013 09:32:57 AM MST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423)
BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635)
Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500) Mammoth Mountain
One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444)
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/2013 08:32:53 AM PST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS
Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-372-8430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-426-3666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a novice-intermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-552-6301) Heavenly
Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-525-2992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800-967-7500) Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with low-cost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park
For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-4030206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER
Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's crosscountry ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444) Contact Bob Goligoski at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_24477169/sierra-ski-whats-new-at-resorts-201314#ixzz2oL8l2qFQ
Ski guide: See what's new at California's Sierra resorts this season By Bob Goligoski, Bay Area News Group POSTED: 11/19/2013 11:32:57 AM EST
There's good news on two fronts for Sierra skiers and snowboarders in California: The consensus of several long-range weather forecasts is for more snow than the region had either of the last two seasons. And the 2014 Winter Olympics a world away in Russia should have a positive impact here. “Ski resorts typically get busier during Winter Olympic years,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The Olympics generate lots of excitement about winter sports that translates into more people heading for the mountains to ski and ride.” After two dismal winters with little snow, Sierra winter resorts — and the region's businesses that support them — could use a boost. The amount of snow and rain that fell in the northern Sierra from January to the beginning of April this year was the smallest since records were first kept in 1920. The Sierra resorts recorded 7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2012-13 season — down slightly from 7.3 million visits the previous season, according to Bob Roberts, CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Still, Roberts is hopeful that a new diversity trend and aging snowboarders will help turn those numbers around. More Asians and Latinos are taking to the slopes, he says. And while snowboarding growth continues to tail off, many snowboarders who quit that sport have now taken up skiing. Here's a look at new programs, facilities and slope improvements that you will find in the Sierra this season. ALPINE MEADOWS Now under the strong financial wing of the firm that owns next-door Squaw Valley, Alpine has expanded its snow-making system and grooming fleet. And the terrain parks will look
different this winter, as the landscape has been changed to add several creative new challenges. (skialpine.com; 800-441-4423) BADGER PASS Most people come to Yosemite for the scenery, but in the winter a few head right for the park's Badger Pass Ski Area. Park employees have done some major work on the day lodge, including a brand new deck, to improve the experience for guests. Yosemite lodging offers a range of very low cost tent-cabin packages in the winter. (yosemitepark.com; 209-3728430) BEAR VALLEY The aging lodges (Bear Valley and Red Dog) have been remodeled and upgraded. The learning center for young skiers and riders has been doubled in size to handle the rapid growth of Bear's instructional programs. And this winter, all fifth-graders who maintain at least a “C” average can ski free every weekend. (bearvalley.com; 209-753-2301) BOREAL Take three lessons in any snowboard instruction program, and Boreal will give you a free season pass for this winter. And for the first time, the resort is offering prepurchase lift tickets. The discount lift tickets are available on Liftopia.com. (rideboreal.com; 530-4263666) DIAMOND PEAK Tree trimming has opened up new off-piste skiable terrain just off Crystal Ridge. The popular Last Tracks ski-party program has been expanded, so check the resort for new dates. And Diamond Peak and Homewood have announced a combo deal: Buy a season pass at either resort and you get four free nonholiday lift tickets at the other resort. (diamondpeak.com; 775-832-1177) Dodge Ridge A new T-bar surface lift goes to the top of Dodge's “second summit.” The lift opens up more skiable terrain in bounds and give visitors access to 1,000 vertical feet of black-diamond runs. The resort also now offers children's programs, teaching children as young as 2 to ski and as young as 3 to snowboard. (dodgeridge.com; 209-965-3474) Donner Ski Ranch The new expansive day lodge on the back side that was promised for last season did not quite make opening day. But the work has been completed, and it is now open. The Donner
Pass area also has acquired the Tahoe Vista Inn and several homes and cabins in Tahoe Vista. Book lodging there and you get a free lift ticket. (donnerskiranch.com; 530-426-3635) Granlibakken Known best as a conference and lodging center, Granlibakken also boasts a noviceintermediate hill for riders and skiers, along with a slick sledding and tubing slope. This is a nice low-budget choice as a family of four can ski, ride, sled and tube for $60 for the day. Granlibakken also started making snow a year or two ago. (granlibakken.com; 877-5526301) Heavenly Forbes magazine rated Unbuckle at Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge as the No. 1 aprés-ski party in North America. A new bar opens at Tamarack, and the party expands out onto the patio. The Heavenly Flyer zip line, closed for several seasons, is expected to reopen this winter. The Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery just opened at the base of the gondola. Heavenly will host the U.S. Freestyle Championships from March 28-30. (skiheavenly.com; 800-432-8365) HOMEWOOD A lively outdoor winter beer garden opens at the resort's North Lodge. The bunny terrain in the instruction program incorporates new “sculpted” features such as berms and gullies to ease the learning curve for beginners. Check out the backcountry experience packages at the West Shore Cafe and Inn across the highway from the slopes. And see the earlier Diamond Peak summary for the Diamond-Homewood ticket deal. (skihomewood.com; 530-5252992) June Mountain June Mountain, which was closed last winter for financial reasons, will reopen for this season on Dec. 14. The resort, some 20 miles from Mammoth, is offering free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. June officials also are developing a long-term plan of improvements for this season and future winters. (junemountain.com; 888-586-3686) Kirkwood Look for the K-bar, a new outdoor umbrella bar that opens on the Chair 6 side of the village. The Cornice Bar and Grill, the main center of activity in the village, has been extensively remodeled. And 60 of the best “big mountain” skiers and riders will arrive in Kirkwood this winter for the Swatch Freeride World Tour from Feb. 27 to March 3. (kirkwood.com; 800967-7500)
Mammoth Mountain One of the largest winter resorts in the country, Mammoth is celebrating its 60th anniversary with several improvements. The terrain parks have been beefed up, the old Mammoth Mountain Inn is undergoing a major renovation, and the new Underground Lounge nightclub is set to open for the season. Check with United Airlines on the start date for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport. The resort has been selected as an official training ground for top skiers and snowboarders who will compete in the Olympics. They will hone their skills at a Mammoth event Jan. 18-19 before heading to Russia. (mammothmountain.com; 800-626-6684) MOUNT Rose The Mountain View Dining in the main lodge has been expanded, and Wi-Fi service has been improved at the Nevada resort. This is one of the best ski bargains in the Sierra because the resort and numerous hotels and motels in nearby Reno offer packages with lowcost rooms and a free lift ticket or two. (skirose.com; 775-849-0704) MOUNT Shasta Ski Park For those who want to venture to Mount Shasta in the Cascade mountains, the ski area just opened a 300-foot long tubing hill with several lanes. There's no need to hike up to the top, as a new conveyor belt surface lift takes tubers up the peak. The lift also can be used by skiers and riders to access nearby slopes. (skipark.com; 530-926-8610) Northstar Trails have been widened and trees removed in the Promised Land area to improve skiing and riding. The slopeside Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will open an al fresco dining spot called the Backyard Bar & BBQ. Northstar's Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center has new offerings, including some high adventure journeys into the backcountry. Skiers and snowboarders heading to Russia and the Olympics will stop first at Northstar for a major competitive event Jan. 9-12. (northstarattahoe.com; 800-466-6784) ROYAL GORGE Royal Gorge, the sprawling Donner Summit cross-country resort, is introducing fat-tire snow-biking this winter. The resort has a new fleet of bikes with very fat tires, and guests can rent them and peddle around 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Visitors with their own fat-tire bikes can use them on the trails after paying for a trail pass. (royalgorge.com; 530-426-9000) Sierra-at-Tahoe
The base area gets a major facelift with the opening of a new $4.5 million general purpose structure that will include, among other things, a new restaurant and a big plaza with fire pits and live music. In the spring, the resort will stage a series of music shows, including top regional touring bands. (sierraattahoe.com; 530-659-7453) Squaw Valley This mega-resort continues to invest and expand. Significant snow-making additions will guard against another low-snow year, and more grooming cats have arrived. The terrain parks have numerous new features. A large yoga studio will open, and a new entertainment amphitheater has been carved out at the base. Squaw Valley also has become the first ski resort in California to install charging stations for electric cars. The stations are free and are open daily. (squaw.com; 800-403-0206) SUGAR BOWL As the summer edged into fall, Sugar Bowl finished building a major new triple chair lift dubbed the Crow's Peak lift. The $3 million lift will give new lift access to advanced and expert terrain. Previously, the only way to get on those slopes was to hike up. Terrain enhancements around the lift will include two new groomed runs and some nifty tree-skiing through glades, chutes and cliffs. (sugarbowl.com; 530-426-9000) TAHOE DONNER Tahoe Donner, with 14 runs spread over 120 acres, has built a 700-square-foot yurt on its slopes. The yurt, which also has a large sun deck, will be used mostly as a warming hut. The area's cross-country ski center also added an intermediate cross-country trail. (tahoedonner.com; 530-587-9444)
Learn about Tahoe’s snowboard history ON: NOVEMBER 18, 2013, The Incline Village Crystal Bay Historical Society will be having another History Happy Hours on Nov. 21. The history of Tahoe snowboarding will be presented by Mike Hatchett of Standard Films. This event will be at Sierra Nevada College, in the Tahoe Center for Environmental Studies in Incline village. Doors open at 7pm, presentation begins at 7:30pm. The cost is $5.
Lake Tahoe Ski, Snowboard, and Snow Play Family Fun November 18, 2013 Posted by pamela |
While it's been a really dry year in Northern California, there's a storm on the horizon this week, which means snow in the Sierras and the start of ski and snow play season in Lake Tahoe. In fact many of Tahoe ski resorts have their opening days scheduled within the next two weeks. Make sure you check before you go, as opening dates are tentative and dependent on snowfall and weather; we've included website links and phone numbers. Our favorite mountain destination is Northstar California Resort near Truckee, but the Tahoe area boasts numerous resorts and ski areas to suit anyone's taste and budget. Here's our guide to places to ski, snowboard, tube, sled, and play in the snow around Tahoe. We're tried to focus on spots that offer not only skiing and snowboarding, but tubing, snow play, and other winter activities, as well. If we've omitted your favorite, please let us know!
North Lake Tahoe Just a few hours away off Interstate 80, North Lake Tahoe and the Truckee area offer a huge concentration of ski resorts and other destinations for fun in the snow. Just a few hours away off Interstate 80, North Lake Tahoe and the Truckee area offer a huge concentration of ski resorts and other destinations for fun in the snow.
Northstar
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing, cross-country, terrain parks, ice skating, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
Lodging, dining, shopping, activities, and events in the Northstar Village
Opening day: Friday, November 22
5100 Northstar Drive (off Highway 267), Truckee; www.northstarcalifornia.com or 1-800-GO-NORTH
Squaw Valley
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, mini-snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country, terrain parks, ice skating, dogsledding, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
Lodging, dining, activities, and events in the Village at Squaw Valley
Opening day: Friday, November 29
1980 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Village; www.squaw.com or 1-800-403-0206
Granlibakken
Skiing, snowboarding, snow play, snowshoeing, cross-country, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
On-site lodging and dining
725 Granlibakken Road, Tahoe City; www.granlibakken.com or 1-800-403-0206
Soda Springs
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, mini-snowmobiling, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
On-site dining
10244 Soda Springs Road (off I-80 near Donner Summit); www.skisodasprings.com or (530) 426-3901
Tahoe Donner
Skiing, snowboarding, cross-country, tubing, sledding, snow play, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
On-site dining and activities
11509 Northwoods Boulevard, Truckee; www.tahoedonner.com or (530) 587-9400
Boreal
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, terrain park, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
On-site lodging and dining
Open for the season now
19749 Boreal Ridge Road, Truckee; www.rideboreal.com or (530) 426-3666
Donner Ski Ranch
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
On-site dining
19320 Donner Pass Road, Norden; www.donnerskiranch.com or (530) 426-3635
South Lake Tahoe Reached via Highway 50, the southern end of Lake Tahoe is home to South Lake Tahoe (the region's most populour city), Stateline, Nevada, and numerous ski resorts and areas.
Heavenly
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ski bikes, snowshoeing, scenic gondola rides, terrain parks, ice skating, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
Lodging, dining, shopping, activities, and events in the Heavenly Village
Opening day: Friday, November 22
3860 Saddle Road, South Lake Tahoe; www.skiheavenly.com or 1-800-HEAVENLY
Kirkwood
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snow play, cross-country, terrain parks, zip lines, snow cat tours, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
Lodging, dining, activities, and events in the Kirkwood Village
Opening day: Friday, November 22
1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive, Kirkwood; winter.kirkwood.com or 1-877-KIRKWOOD
Sierra at Tahoe
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sledding, snow play, cross-country, snowshoeing, terrain parks, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
On-site dining
1111 Sierra at Tahoe Road, Twin Bridges; www.sierraattahoe.com or (530) 659-7453
Adventure Mountain
Beginner snowboarding, tubing, sledding, saucers, snow play, snowshoeing, sled and tube rental
On-site dining and shopping
Opening day : Wednesday, November 27
21200 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe (at Echo Summit); adventuremountaintahoe.com or (530) 659-7217